A routine U.N. Security Council debate on the Middle East effectively set the stage for the Palestinian plan to declare statehood and seek full U.N. membership and recognition in September. Palestinian U.N. delegate Riyad Mansour made a passionate presentation of his government’s position to which Israel’s new U.N. representative Ron Prosor replied in-kind. Prosor stressed the bifurcation of power, leaving Hamas in control of half the population, arguing the Palestinian Authority lacked a “monopoly on the use of force.” American ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo reiterated that “The United States will not support unilateral campaigns at the United Nations in September or any other time.” Referring to the Palestinian’s U.N. plans, DiCarlo admonished member nations “to avoid actions that could undermine trust, prejudge negotiations, or place the temptations of symbolism over the hard work of reaching agreement.” She also called on Hamas to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.