UN Backs Enhanced Status for Palestine
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
The United Nations General Assembly has enhanced Palestine’s rights within the organization and advocated for its membership.
Excel Magazine International reports that Palestine, a non-member observer state since 2012, enjoys certain rights but lacks full membership, which only the UN Security Council can grant.
Despite a recent U.S. veto of Palestine’s membership bid, the General Assembly’s latest vote supports Palestine’s aspirations.
In appreciation, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas praised the resolution, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure another vote by the Security Council for full membership.
In a strong reaction, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan criticized the resolution, dramatically tearing a copy of the UN Charter during his speech, symbolizing his accusation that the assembly had metaphorically done the same by approving the resolution.
The resolution, passed on Friday, grants Palestine additional rights at the UN, including participation in debates and the ability to propose agenda items, though it still lacks voting power—a privilege reserved for full members and dependent on Security Council approval.
This development is part of a long-standing, complex debate over Palestinian statehood.
Excel Magazine International recalls that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the establishment of the State of Palestine in 1988, recognized by 139 out of 193 UN member states, though such recognition is largely symbolic.
The Palestinian Authority administers limited governance in the Israeli-occupied West Bank but lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, with both territories considered by the UN as occupied by Israel.
Israel remains opposed to Palestinian statehood, viewing it as a threat to its security, while the U.S. supports a two-state solution through direct negotiations.
Last month, the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution for Palestine’s state recognition, deeming it “premature.” Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are non-binding.
