The United Nations General Assembly, in its tenth emergency special session, has adopted a significant resolution that upgrades Palestine’s rights at the UN to that of an observer State, effective from September 10, 2024 and urges the Security Council to consider granting Palestine full membership.
The General Assembly approved the resolution titled “Admission of new Members to the United Nations” with a recorded vote of 143 in favour, 9 against, and 25 abstentions. The countries voting against included Argentina, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and the United States.
The resolution said that the State of Palestine is qualified for UN membership under Article 4 of the UN Charter and should be admitted to the organization. It also recommended that the Security Council “reconsider the matter favourably in light of this determination.”
India, in support of full UN membership for Palestine, emphasized that a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region. India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, stated, “In keeping with our longstanding position, we support the membership of Palestine at the UN and, therefore, we have voted in favour of this Resolution. We hope that Palestine’s application will be reconsidered by the Security Council in due course and that Palestine’s endeavour to become a member of the UN will get endorsed.”
Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj emphasized India’s stance that an enduring peace between Israel and Palestine can only be achieved through a two-state solution. “India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders, with due regard to the security needs of Israel. To arrive at a lasting solution, we urge all parties to foster conditions conducive to resuming direct peace negotiations at an early date,” she stated.
Currently, Palestine holds the status of a “non-member observer state” at the UN, a designation granted in 2012, which allows participation in proceedings but does not confer voting rights. As a “Permanent Observer State,” Palestine can engage in all of the UN’s activities, except for voting on resolutions and decisions within the main organs and committees, including the Security Council and the General Assembly.
UN General Assembly Debate
The debate over Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations saw deep divisions and varied perspectives among member states regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader quest for peace in West Asia. The urgency of achieving a just and lasting solution was highlighted by Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, who emphasised the necessity of a two-state solution as the only viable path to enduring peace.
The United Arab Emirates, representing the Arab Group, took a decisive step by introducing a draft resolution that calls on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s application for full UN membership. This move was framed as a critical measure to ensure that Palestine gains the recognition and status needed to negotiate on an equal footing with Israel.
The Observer for the State of Palestine highlighted the suffering endured by Palestinians, urging the General Assembly to cast a vote in favour of Palestinian statehood. This plea was set against the backdrop of severe humanitarian crises and ongoing conflict, which have devastated Palestinian territories and exacerbated the plight of its people.
Conversely, Israel vehemently condemned the draft resolution, arguing that it effectively rewards terrorism and circumvents the principles of the UN Charter. Israel’s stance highlights a deep-seated apprehension about international moves that it considers legitimising entities it considers hostile and engaged in violent actions.
The Russian Federation supported Palestine’s bid for full membership, criticising the United States for its veto and highlighting the importance of granting Palestine equal status in negotiations. Similarly, Iran backed the resolution, questioning Israel’s eligibility as a peace-loving entity and stressing the need for a balanced approach to peace talks.
The United States, however, voted against the resolution, maintaining that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine are essential for achieving statehood. This position reflects a long-standing US policy that prioritises bilateral discussions over unilateral actions in international forums.
European nations displayed a spectrum of responses. France voted in favour of the resolution, reaffirming its support for a two-state solution, and expressing concern over the situation in Gaza. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, abstained, emphasizing the need to address the immediate crisis in Gaza before advancing broader membership discussions.
Support for Palestine’s membership was strong among several other nations. Tunisia and Syria both endorsed the resolution, with Tunisia affirming Palestine’s rights to UN membership and Syria condemning Israeli actions in Gaza. Egypt and China also supported the resolution, calling for an end to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilians.
Hungary and Papua New Guinea voted against the resolution, stressing the importance of adhering to established UN membership processes.
Several countries used the debate to call for more substantial actions. Venezuela, representing the Group of Friends of the Defence of the UN Charter, criticized the delays in granting Palestine full membership and called for concrete measures to support its bid. Uganda, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, condemned Israeli actions, and voiced strong support for Palestine’s UN membership.
West Asia and North African countries were particularly vocal in their support. Qatar called for a ceasefire and protection of civilians in Gaza, while Saudi Arabia emphasised Palestinian rights and condemned Israeli military operations. Jordan also supported the resolution, condemning Israeli actions and urging immediate international intervention.
What this resolution means
By adopting this resolution, the General Assembly has determined that the State of Palestine qualifies for an upgraded observer status, effective from 10 September. This upgraded status includes several important rights and privileges, which signal a step towards greater international recognition and participation for Palestine. However, actual full membership would still require a recommendation from the Security Council, and the General Assembly has urged the Council to reconsider Palestine’s application favourably.
A 2019 General Assembly resolution temporarily expanded Palestine’s participation rights when it chaired the Group of 77 developing countries and China (G77), allowing it to submit proposals, amendments, and exercise other parliamentary functions. These temporary rights expired in 2020.
Key Changes in Status for Palestine:
Full Participation in Conferences: Palestine will enjoy full and effective participation in UN conferences and international meetings convened under the General Assembly or other UN organs, thereby integrating more deeply into the global dialogue on various issues.
The recent resolution marks a step towards recognizing Palestine as a full member of the United Nations. The resolution also outlines additional rights and privileges for Palestine as an observer State, effective from the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly. These include the right to be seated among Member States in alphabetical order, make statements on behalf of groups, introduce and co-sponsor proposals and amendments, raise procedural motions, and participate fully in UN and international conferences. However, Palestine does not have the right to vote in the General Assembly or to field candidates for UN organs. It stops short of granting full membership privileges, such as the right to vote or the ability to put forward candidatures for key organs like the Security Council or the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Despite Advancement, the Outlook Remains Bleak
The upgrade in Palestine’s status within the UN represents a diplomatic victory and a step towards broader international recognition. However, the resolution emphasises the complex and contentious nature of Palestine’s quest for full membership and statehood. The enhancements in status reflect a strategic approach to building Palestine’s international legitimacy and influence, even as full membership remains elusive due to geopolitical dynamics, particularly the need for Security Council endorsement, which is complicated by the veto power held by permanent members such as the United States.
Despite these diplomatic progress, the reality on the ground for a viable Palestinian state remains bleak. The West Bank and East Jerusalem, envisioned as part of a future Palestinian capital, are still under Israeli military occupation, divided by security barriers and expanding Jewish settlements. Gaza, devastated by ongoing conflicts, is far from being governable or rebuildable, with over 34,900 Palestinians killed in Israel’s campaign against Hamas.
There is also no clear plan for who will govern Gaza post-conflict, nor how reconstruction will be managed. The Palestinian national movement is fractured, and the Palestinian Authority struggles to maintain a united front. Hamas, despite being battered, continues to resist Israeli forces in parts of Gaza.
Within Israel, there is little interest in discussions about Palestinian self-determination or statehood, especially following the violence on October 7, 2023.
Internationally, however, support for a Palestinian state is growing louder. Both the United States and Israel’s Arab neighbours see the two-state solution as vital for postwar peace. An increasing number of countries are advocating for this scenario, even though it remains far from realization on the ground.
In conclusion, the debate over Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations reflects the complex and contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It showcases the deep divisions within the international community, but also highlights a growing clamour for recognizing Palestinian statehood and for the peace in the Gulf peninsula. As the General Assembly and Security Council continue to grapple with this issue, the diverse perspectives and arguments presented in this recognition of Palestine as a permanent observer status will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the West Asia or Middle Eastern peace process.
Author is National Editor,
Greater Kashmir.