Palestine’s Application for Full UN Membership: September 23, 2011

On September 23, 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas submitted an application for full membership of Palestine in the United Nations. This significant diplomatic move took place during the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The application marked a pivotal moment in the Palestinian pursuit of international recognition and statehood.

Context Leading Up to the Application

• Historical Background: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a longstanding geopolitical issue, with roots tracing back to the early 20th century. The quest for Palestinian statehood gained momentum after the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, which aimed to establish a framework for peace and the eventual creation of a Palestinian state.

• Stalled Peace Process: By 2011, peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine had stalled, primarily due to disagreements over issues such as borders, the status of Jerusalem, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

• International Support: Prior to the UN application, Palestine had garnered significant international support, with over 100 countries recognizing it as a sovereign state. However, it lacked full UN membership, which would grant it greater legitimacy and rights on the international stage.

The Application Process

• Submission: President Abbas formally submitted the application to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The request was for Palestine to be recognized as a full member state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

• Security Council Review: The application was forwarded to the UN Security Council for consideration. For Palestine to achieve full membership, it required the approval of at least nine of the 15 Security Council members, with no vetoes from any of the five permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China).

Reactions and Implications

• International Reactions: The application received mixed reactions. Many countries in the Global South and the Arab world supported the bid, viewing it as a step towards justice and self-determination for Palestinians. However, the United States and Israel opposed the move, arguing that statehood should result from direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

• US Veto: The United States, a key ally of Israel, indicated it would use its veto power to block the application in the Security Council, emphasizing the need for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

Aftermath and Consequences

• UNESCO Membership: Although the full membership bid was unsuccessful, Palestine was admitted as a full member of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in October 2011. This was a symbolic victory and a step towards greater international recognition.

• Continued Efforts: The Palestinian leadership continued to pursue international recognition and support, eventually achieving non-member observer state status in the UN General Assembly in November 2012.

• Ongoing Conflict: The application underscored the enduring complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of achieving a two-state solution. It highlighted the international community’s divided stance on the issue and the difficulties in reconciling differing national and international interests.

In summary, the submission of Palestine’s application for full UN membership on September 23, 2011, was a landmark event in the Palestinian struggle for statehood, reflecting both the aspirations and the geopolitical challenges faced by the Palestinian people in their quest for international recognition and peace.