Analysis: Who voted with Israel at the UN and why were most Pacific Island nations?
By Mark Stone, US correspondent
A huge majority of the world’s nations voted with the Palestinians at the United Nations today.
But who were the nine countries that voted against the Palestinian quest for membership, rights and privileges at the UN, and why?
Israel
The current Israeli government is firmly against a Palestinian state in every sense.
Different iterations of Israeli governments over the years have oscillated on ‘two states’, but after the 7 October Hamas attacks the Israeli position cemented – no two states, no Palestinian state.
Broadly, they do not distinguish between the extremism of Hamas and the moderate nature of other Palestinian political factions like the Fatah-run Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. It’s the crux of deadlock.
So who else?
The United States
They stand behind Israel despite significant tension now between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
America is committed to a two-state solution but argues that it begins with a ceasefire and that the formation of a Palestinian state comes much further down the line.
Speaking after the vote, White House spokesman John Kirby said: “We continue to believe in the promise of a two-state solution and an independent state for the Palestinian people.
“That’s something that President Biden…
