11-5-2024 (UNITED NATIONS) The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution recognising the State of Palestine as qualified for membership in the international body. The resolution, titled “Palestinian bid for UN membership: A Watershed Moment,” received overwhelming support, with 143 nations voting in favour, while the United States, Israel, and seven other countries opposed it. Twenty-five countries abstained from the vote.
The resolution, though not granting the Palestinians full UN membership, represents a symbolic victory and paves the way for further consideration by the Security Council. It states that “the State of Palestine… should therefore be admitted to membership” and “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favourably.”
By adopting this resolution, the General Assembly has effectively upgraded the rights of the State of Palestine within the United Nations, though it does not grant the right to vote or put forward its candidature for organs such as the Security Council or the Economic and Social Council.
Granting full Palestinian membership requires a recommendation from the Security Council, a process that has been long-stalled due to opposition from the United States and other permanent members. However, the General Assembly’s resolution determines that the State of Palestine is qualified for such status and urges the Security Council to “reconsider the matter favourably.”
The resolution, proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on behalf of 22 Arab countries and co-sponsored by about 65 states, asserts that “the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted.”
Mohamed Abushahab, the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations, addressed the General Assembly before the vote, emphasising the broad recognition of the legitimacy of Palestine’s bid. “The vast majority of countries in the General Assembly are fully aware of the legitimacy of the Palestinian bid and the justness of their cause, which faces fierce attempts to suppress it and render it meaningless today,” he said.
Abushahab further noted that granting Palestine full membership would send a “powerful message” in support of the long-sought two-state solution, adding, “Fulfilling the UN’s historic obligation towards the Palestinian people is long overdue, but it is never too late.”
