The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) has affirmed its support for Palestine’s bid for full United Nations membership. This decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting of the D-8 Council of Ministers held in Istanbul on June 8, 2024, which focused on the situation in Gaza. The D-8, which includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye, strongly condemned the Israeli military actions against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
A joint declaration released after the meeting detailed demands for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire, the cessation of Israeli hostilities, and the full implementation of UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2728 (2024). This resolution mandates a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid and essential services.
The D-8 also rejected the forced displacement and expulsion of Palestinians, insisting on their unconditional right to return to their lands. The declaration reaffirmed the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, denouncing any attempts to alter the city’s historic and legal status. Furthermore, it called on all nations to apply political, economic, and legal pressure on Israel to end violations against Palestinians and urged countries to halt arms supplies to Israel used against Palestinian civilians.
Notably, the declaration called for the United States to revoke its recent veto against Palestine’s full UN membership application. In April 2024, the US vetoed a Security Council resolution proposed by Algeria that would have granted Palestine full membership. Despite the veto, the UN General Assembly showed overwhelming support for Palestine’s bid in May 2024, with 143 nations voting in favor.
Palestine currently holds Permanent Observer State status at the UN, a position it has held since 2012. This status change followed a vote by the General Assembly but lacked Security Council approval necessary for full membership. The latest D-8 declaration adds significant diplomatic backing to Palestine’s long-standing quest for recognition as a full member state within the UN.
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