The US believes the fastest way for Palestinian statehood is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with US and other partners' support.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution recommending Palestinian admission to the UN, which requires nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the US, UK, France, Russia, or China to pass.

The text discusses the potential bid by Palestinians to become a full UN member state, which would require approval from the Security Council and a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly.

Diplomats estimate that up to 13 council members may support this move, forcing the US to use its veto.

The US official has stated that such actions will not lead to Palestinian statehood.

Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state, having been granted this status by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

The push for full membership comes amidst ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the Security Council to support peace efforts between Israel and a fully independent Palestinian state.

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed concern over the potential failure to reach a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, warning of increased volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people in the region.

Erdan criticized the Security Council for considering granting full UN membership to the Palestinians, arguing that they do not meet the criteria of a permanent population, defined territory, government, and capacity to enter relations with other states.

He questioned who the council would be recognizing and urged against the decision, stating it would have no positive impact and cause destruction and harm to future dialogue.

The UN Security Council has consistently supported the idea of two states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting in secure borders.

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

The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, governs the West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza since ousting the Palestinian Authority in 2007.

Ziad Abu Amr, representing Abbas, addressed the Security Council, questioning how US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could harm peace between Palestinians and Israelis and international security.

He criticized those obstructing the adoption of such a resolution, stating they were not contributing to peace in the Middle East.

Abu Amr expressed that full Palestinian UN membership was not a substitute for genuine political negotiations aimed at implementing a two-state solution and resolving outstanding issues.

Nevertheless, he believed that this resolution would provide hope to the Palestinian people for living decent lives within an independent state.