France to Back Palestine UN Status, Admission Expected

Vote expected to come on Thursday

In a move that could send ripples through the European Union and Middle East, France said on Tuesday it would vote to grant Palestine non-member status at the United Nations.

After their bid for full membership was denied last year, primarily because of US opposition in the UN Security Council, Palestine applied to be granted a slightly lesser admission to the organization. The only current country with non-member status is Vatican City, though Taiwan applied for the designation from 1991 to 2008.

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The vote is expected to take place on Thursday in the General Assembly and is expected to pass, according to Reuters.

"This Thursday or Friday, when the question is asked, France will vote yes," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced in the French National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

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Being awarded status in the UN could grant Palestine access to bodies such as the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where the Palestinians could (and likely will) file complaints against Israel for issues like the blockade of Gaza.

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