The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognising it as qualified to join and recommending the UN Security Council “reconsider the matter favourably”, Reuters reports.

The assembly adopted a resolution with 143 votes in favour and nine against — including the US and Israel — while 25 countries abstained.

It does not give the Palestinians full UN membership but recognises them as qualified to join.

“We want peace, we want freedom,” Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the General Assembly before the vote.

“A yes vote is a vote for Palestinian existence, it is not against any state … It is an investment in peace.

“Voting yes is the right thing to do,” he said in remarks that drew applause.

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