New York [USA], May 12: The UN General Assembly has enhanced Palestine's rights within the organisation and urged it be accepted as a member following heated debate.
Palestine has had non-member observer state status since 2012, which allows some rights short of a full member.
Membership can only be decided upon by the UN Security Council. Friday's vote can be seen as a gesture of support for the Palestinians by the full UN body, despite strident Israeli opposition.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution, saying it supported Palestinian efforts for another vote on the issue by the Security Council.
"Palestine will continue its endeavour to obtain full membership in the UN," he said in a statement.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said the body had welcomed a "terror state" into its ranks.
Addressing the assembly Erdan shredded a copy of the UN Charter - accusing members of having metaphorically done just that by passing the resolution by 143 vote to 9. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
