As a landmark decision at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Palestinian Authority was seated among member states, marking a significant symbolic victory in its long-running pursuit of international recognition.
The State of Palestine was officially granted a seat, now able to put forth proposals and amendments, despite not being a full member of the General Assembly.
The State of Palestine was granted observer status at the UNGA in 2012 despite being a non-member state. This meant that it only had the authority to participate in discussions, but could not put forth proposals and their amendments, or vote.
The newly elected President of the UNGA, Philemon Yang, the former Prime Minister of Cameroon, emphasised the importance of cooperation among member states to address global challenges, including the Israeli siege on Gaza.
The UNGA
The General Assembly convenes annually in New York and serves as a platform for global leaders to address pressing international issues. While resolutions passed in the Assembly are non-binding, they influence international discourse.
For Palestine, gaining a seat among full member states signifies recognition and legitimacy in the global arena. Dr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, took his seat between Sri Lanka and Sudan.
Egyptian representative to the UN, Osama Abdel Khalek, called it a "historic moment" and asserted that the seat at the UNGA signals international acknowledgement of Palestine possessing all legally recognised elements of a state, including a demarcated territory, population, government, and sovereignty. However, Palestine’s status as an observer state remains a limitation, as it cannot vote in the Assembly or place a decisive vote for bills to be passed.
The Bid for Full Membership
Palestine’s seating at the UNGA comes on the heels of a May 2024 UN resolution that reignited its campaign for full membership. This resolution, which passed with 143 votes in favour, recommended that the UN Security Council reconsider Palestine's bid for membership.
Egypt and other supporting nations introduced the resolution. This was seen as an important move toward achieving the two-state solution at the heart of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine for decades. The General Assembly passed the resolution by a large majority, with notable support from countries such as India and Egypt.
The move was largely seen as a response to growing calls for a two-state solution to the crisis in Gaza and countries such as permanent member states France and Russia voted in favour of the bid.
However, the resolution did not guarantee full membership, as any such decision requires Security Council approval, where opposition from veto-wielding members like the United States remains a significant obstacle.
The Palestinian Authority has been seeking full UN membership since it declared statehood in 1988. More than 140 of 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as a state, but major powers, including the United States, continue to withhold formal recognition, citing the need for a negotiated settlement with Israel.
The bid for membership is seen as a critical step in Palestine’s efforts to gain international legitimacy and secure its rights under international law.
The 2024 resolution also granted Palestine enhanced participation rights, allowing it to take part in General Assembly sessions and UN meetings on an exceptional basis. These additional privileges are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Palestine's presence on the global stage, despite not being a full member state.
For Palestine, the ultimate goal is not just symbolic recognition, but concrete political and legal rights that come with full membership.
Gaining complete membership status at the UNGA would grant Representatives of the State of Palestine to the UN, the right to participate actively in all discussions. This would further imply that submitted proposals may be amended, approved, or rejected through Palestine’s participation in the voting procedures.
Additionally, gaining membership to the UNGA would enable Palestine to bring discussions surrounding the territorial conflicts and the ongoing Israeli incursion to the forefront of the UNGA agenda, also having the ability to ask the Assembly to convene for emergency cases.
Israeli Opposition and International Support
The seating of Palestine has drawn strong reactions, particularly from Israel, which continues to oppose any moves toward recognising Palestinian statehood at the UN. Israeli officials argue that only fully sovereign states should be granted membership privileges and view the recent developments as politically motivated.
Israel has further cited political favouritism in the UNGA’s decision to grant Palestine increased participatory rights.
Israeli officials argue that granting Palestine additional privileges at the UN undermines efforts to negotiate a lasting peace and rewards what they consider acts of terrorism by Palestinian groups such as Hamas.
Jonathan Miller, Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, called the decision a “politically motivated gesture” that fails to address the core issues of Israel’s siege on Gaza.
Despite Israel's objections, the Palestinian bid for full membership has garnered increasing international support. The majority of UN member states recognize Palestine as a state, and many view its inclusion in the Assembly as a step toward resolving one of the most protracted crises in modern history.
In addition, the international community continues to advocate for a two-state solution, with the recognition of Palestine seen as essential for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
The struggle to gain membership status, however, remains pertinent as UNSC permanent members including the US continue to maintain their alliance with Israel and refrain from recognising the Palestinian state.
This proves to be a critical barrier as the upcoming presidential elections propose limited action or consideration of Palestinian integrity and sovereignty, given the US’s long-standing alliance with Israel.
Both leading presidential candidates expressed their duty towards their ally in the first presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris stating a two-state solution was necessary, but Israel maintains its right to defend itself.
Donald Trump further debated that the Vice President “hated” Israel, reaffirming his support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The May 2024 Resolution was vetoed by the US Representative to the UN, citing the need for Palestinian authorities to engage in negotiations with Israeli authorities, moderated by the United States, to pursue legitimate statehood.
The extensive crackdowns on democratic protest movements within the US, aimed at holding government and academic institutions accountable for their participation and aid in the ongoing genocide, resulted in over 3,000 student arrests, as reported by The Guardian. This further amplified the US’s stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed sentiments of diplomatic and peacekeeping measures during the opening session of the UNGA, urging member states to work together to resolve global conflicts and promote human rights.
He emphasised the need for peace in the Middle East and stressed that the UN must continue to play a central role in facilitating dialogue between Israel and Palestine.
The Path Forward
While Palestine’s seating at the UNGA marks a symbolic victory, the road to full membership remains fraught with challenges. To become a full member, Palestine must secure approval from the Security Council, where it faces potential vetoes from the United States and other permanent members.
Despite this, the Palestinian Authority continues to push for recognition, arguing that its people deserve the same rights as other nations.
As Palestine takes a more active role in international forums, the question of its full membership looms large. The ongoing Israeli siege, combined with shifting global alliances, makes the path forward uncertain.
However, for Palestine, gaining full membership in the UN is predominantly about securing the legal and political rights that come with being a recognised state at the UNGA.
Palestine’s push for full membership is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in negotiations with Israel and to gain international support for its claim to sovereignty. While the May 2024 resolution has opened doors for Palestine’s greater participation in the UN, the ramifications of which remain elusive.
As the world continues to grapple with global challenges, including Israel’s war in Gaza, Palestine’s presence at the UNGA serves as a reminder of the unfinished business of peace in the Middle East.
With the international community watching, the question of Palestine’s statehood remains a focal point of global diplomacy.
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