Cairo, April 19 (RHC)-- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has slammed the United States for blocking Palestine’s request for full membership in the United Nations, amid a genocidal Israeli war on Gaza.

“The Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed its deep regret at the failure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to shoulder its responsibilities for granting the State of Palestine full membership in the UN, while the Palestinian nation are subjected to the harshest level of aggression, persecution and genocide,” the OIC said in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the U.S. veto of the draft resolution, which recommended granting Palestine a full UN membership, on Thursday, “violates the provisions of the United Nations Charter which allows membership for all countries that accept the obligations contained in it.”

The OIC stressed that the US move prevents the Palestinian people from obtaining “their legitimate rights”, and “contributes to prolonging the historical oppression” imposed on the Palestinian people for 75 years.

Stressing “the legitimate right” of Palestine to embody its political and legal status in the UN, the organization said the recognition of the State of Palestine “contributes to achieving peace and stability.”

The OIC praised the countries that voted in favor of the draft resolution, saying their position “demonstrates their support for truth, justice, freedom, and peace and their rejection of the policies” of the Israeli regime.  It also urged the countries that abstained from voting or rejected the resolution to “review their position in line with their obligations” under the international law, and the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.

The vote at the 15-member UN Security Council on the statehood was put forward by Algeria, which represents Arab nations on the Security Council.  While 12 Council members voted yes, the US predictably cast its veto against the bid by the Palestinian Authority (PA) for Palestine to be recognized as a full member of the United Nations. Meanwhile, the UK and Switzerland abstained.

Washington’s veto came amid the Israeli regime’s war on the Gaza Strip that has increased sympathy towards Palestinians and international calls for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Since the beginning of the current genocidal offensive on October 7, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 33,970 Palestinians and injured nearly 76,770 others.