"US Blocks Palestinian Statehood Bid at UN"

The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have recognized a Palestinian state, despite 12 members voting in favor and two abstaining. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized the veto, while Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the decision. The US stated that premature actions in New York would not achieve statehood for the Palestinians and emphasized the need for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian efforts for recognition as a member state began in 2011, and they currently hold a non-member observer state status.