The UN, Palestinians, and Israel: A Path to a Two-State Future

The United Nations and the Palestinian Struggle

The United Nations has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the Middle East, especially concerning the fate of Palestinians. Since the partition of Palestine in 1947, the organization has been deeply involved in efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict. This week, the UN is once again focusing on reviving the two-state solution, which has long been seen as the most viable path to peace.

Key Moments in the UN's Involvement

Partition of Palestine

In November 1947, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 181, which divided the British Mandate of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem designated as an international zone. While Zionist leaders accepted the plan, it was met with strong opposition from Arab states and the Palestinian population.

Israel declared independence in May 1948, leading to the Arab-Israeli War. Israel emerged victorious, and around 760,000 Palestinians were displaced or expelled—eventually referred to as the "Nakba," or "catastrophe." The UN only officially recognized this event in May 2023.

Self-Determination and Recognition

Following the Six-Day War in 1967, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 242, calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. However, ambiguities in the resolution’s wording created confusion about its exact scope.

In November 1974, Yasser Arafat, then head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), addressed the UN General Assembly, stating he carried both "an olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun." Shortly after, the assembly recognized the Palestinians' right to self-determination and granted the PLO observer status.

Peace Initiatives Outside the UN

One of the most significant peace efforts did not originate from the UN. In 1993, Israel and the PLO, which had unilaterally declared an independent State of Palestine in 1988, concluded secret negotiations in Oslo. They signed a declaration of principles outlining Palestinian autonomy. In 1994, Arafat returned to the Palestinian territories and established the Palestinian Authority.

The Role of the United States

The U.S. has consistently influenced UN decisions regarding the Palestinian issue due to its veto power in the Security Council. Since 1972, Washington has used its veto more than 30 times to protect Israel. However, there have been instances where the U.S. allowed resolutions to pass, particularly when under pressure from the international community.

In March 2002, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1397, the first to mention a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel. In December 2016, the council called on Israel to halt settlement construction in the territories, thanks to a U.S. abstention. More recently, in March 2024, another U.S. abstention enabled the Security Council to call for an immediate ceasefire during Israel's offensive on Hamas in Gaza.

Efforts for Palestinian Statehood

In 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sought membership for the State of Palestine in the UN. The process required a recommendation from the Security Council, followed by a vote in the General Assembly. However, the U.S. opposed the move, halting the process before a vote could occur.

The following year, the General Assembly granted the Palestinians the status of a "non-member observer State." In April 2024, the Palestinians renewed their request for full membership, but the U.S. vetoed it. If approved, the request would likely have passed with a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.

According to an AFP database, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states recognize a Palestinian state. Despite not achieving full membership, the Palestinians gained new rights in 2024, including being seated alphabetically in the General Assembly and submitting resolution proposals independently for the first time.