In a significant development for Palestinian representation at the United Nations, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, will be seated on the General Assembly floor among member states for the first time during the upcoming annual gathering of world leaders. This change comes as part of a series of recent events related to Palestine's status at the UN.
The Palestinian Authority, representing the Palestinian people at the UN under the designation "State of Palestine," currently holds non-member observer state status. This position, shared only with the Holy See, was granted in November 2012 when the General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state. The vote resulted in 138 countries in favor, nine against, and 41 abstentions.
In May 2024, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a Palestinian bid for full UN membership. This move effectively recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably. As part of this resolution, Palestinians were granted additional rights and privileges starting September 2024, including a seat among UN members in the assembly hall.
The path to full UN membership, however, remains complex. The process typically involves an application to the UN Secretary-General, followed by assessment and voting in the Security Council. Approval requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the permanent members (US, Russia, France, China, and UK). If approved, the application then moves to the General Assembly for a two-thirds majority vote.
"The United States does not support moves by the Palestinians to enhance their status outside of direct negotiations with Israel."
Palestine's journey towards full UN membership has faced challenges. In April 2024, the United States vetoed the Palestinian bid in the Security Council. This echoes a similar situation in 2011 when a previous Palestinian application failed to gain sufficient support in the Security Council.
The Palestinian Authority, established in 1994 as part of the Oslo Accords, has been led by Mahmoud Abbas since 2005. The UN has been involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process since the 1940s, with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely. The State of Palestine is currently recognized by 138 UN member states, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding this issue. The upcoming UN General Assembly meeting will mark a new chapter in Palestinian representation on the global stage, even as the path to full membership remains uncertain.