The UN, Palestinians, Israel, and the Frustrated Two-State Dream

The United Nations and the Palestinian Struggle

Since the division of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states in 1947, the United Nations has played a central role in shaping the political landscape of the region. As the organization meets this week, there is renewed hope for reviving the two-state solution, which has long been seen as the most viable path to peace.

Partition and Its Consequences

In November 1947, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 181, which proposed dividing Palestine—then under British administration—into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem designated as an international zone. While Zionist leaders accepted the plan, Arab states and Palestinians strongly opposed it.

Israel declared independence in May 1948, leading to the Arab-Israeli War, which ended in 1949 with Israel's victory. During this period, approximately 760,000 Palestinians were displaced or forced to flee their homes, an event known as the "Nakba," meaning "catastrophe." The UN only officially recognized this tragedy in May 2023, marking a significant moment in the global acknowledgment of the Palestinian experience.

Self-Determination and International Recognition

Following the Six-Day War in 1967, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 242, calling for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the conflict, including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. However, ambiguities in the resolution's wording created confusion over the extent of the required withdrawal.

In November 1974, Yasser Arafat, then head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, expressing his commitment to both peace and resistance. Shortly after, the UN General Assembly recognized the right of Palestinians to self-determination and granted the PLO observer status as the representative of the Palestinian people.

Peace Efforts Beyond the UN

One of the most significant peace initiatives did not originate from the United Nations. 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, leading to the formation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994. This marked a major step forward in the peace process.

The Role of the United States

The US has historically held significant influence over UN decisions regarding the Palestinian issue due to its power of veto 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 US allowed key resolutions to pass.

In March 2002, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1397 at the US’s request, making it the first resolution 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 US abstention. More recently, in March 2024, another US abstention enabled the Security Council to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid Israel’s offensive against Hamas.

Toward Full Recognition?

In 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas initiated the process of requesting UN membership for the State of Palestine. This required a positive recommendation from the Security Council and a favorable vote from the General Assembly. However, the US blocked the process due to its opposition.

The following year, the General Assembly granted the Palestinians the status of a "non-member observer State." In April 2024, the Palestinians renewed their bid for full membership, but the US once again vetoed the request. If approved by the Security Council, the resolution would likely have passed the General Assembly with a two-thirds majority.

According to data from DISCOVER TREND, at least 142 out of 193 UN member states recognize a Palestinian state. Despite not achieving full membership, the General Assembly granted the Palestinians new rights in 2024, including seating them alphabetically and allowing them to submit resolution proposals independently. These steps represent progress toward greater recognition and participation in the international community.