The Palestinians' bid for full membership was previously vetoed by the US in the Security Council.

To become a full UN member, an application must be approved by both the Security Council and the General Assembly.

While the General Assembly is expected to support the Palestinian bid, some diplomats have raised concerns and suggested changes to the draft.

The resolution also grants additional rights and privileges to the Palestinians, short of full membership.

Diplomats have raised concerns that a potential UN General Assembly resolution granting the Palestinians observer state status could set a precedent for other disputed territories, such as Kosovo and Taiwan.

Israel's UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, denounced the draft resolution, arguing it would give the Palestinians de facto statehood and violate the UN Charter.

Erdan threatened that the US would stop funding the UN if the resolution passed, as it goes against US law which prohibits funding organizations granting full membership to non-state entities.

In 2011, the US stopped funding UNESCO after the Palestinians gained full membership.

The US believes that the Palestinian path to statehood should come through direct negotiations.

The Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state at the UN, but they are pushing for further action in the General Assembly.

The US has expressed concerns about extending benefits to the Palestinians before their eligibility under the UN charter is resolved.

UNESCO did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

The Palestinian push for UN membership comes during the seventh month of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and as Israel continues to build settlements in the West Bank, which the UN deems illegal.

The UN supports the idea of two states coexisting within secure borders.

Palestinians aim for a state encompassing the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, all territories captured by Israel in 1967.