The National Campaign

National Campaign

Palestinians, like all peoples of the world, have the right to live in their free country and to enjoy a life of dignity, security, and prosperity. This right to freedom and self determination is an inalienable right that is not up for negotiations.

For almost seven decades now, the Palestinian people have been denied their natural and historical right to establish an independent state. The establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian is a debt owed by the international community to the Palestinian People that is long-overdue. This right has awaited implementation for nearly seven decades. Now, it is Palestine’s time.  

 

Palestinians are asking for international recognition of their State on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem, as spelled out in various UN resolutions. We are also seeking admission to the United Nations as a full member.

In UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 181 II- the resolution that provided the legal basis for Israel’s admission to the UN - the General Assembly instructed that “sympathetic consideration” be given to our application for membership in the UN. International recognition of the State of Palestine and its admission to the UN as a full-member is consistent with and supports a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We seek support for the formula the world agrees is the only way to peace: two states, Palestine and Israel living in security, freedom, and peace side by side.    

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why are Palestinians asking for recognition and UN admission?

This is a natural, historical, and legal right for the Palestinian People. Statehood and its declaration is also a sovereign right of all nations, as stipulated in international law. Additionally, Palestinians’ right to self-determination has been repeatedly asserted by the UN. The world has repeatedly affirmed that Palestinians have an “inalienable” to self-determination and that the Palestinian people have a right to a “sovereign and independent” state. Moreover, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in its 2004 Advisory Opinion, made clear that impeding the Palestinian people’s exercise of its right to self-determination is illegal. 

Why should the world support Palestine’s bid?

Recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 border is a sovereign decision of each state. Already 126 countries, including 9 of the ten most populous countries in the world recognize Palestine. Combined, these countries’ populations represent 75% of the world population. Additionally, recognition of the State of Palestine and support for its admission to the UN makes clear that Israel has no valid claim to any parts of the territory it occupied in 1967 and reaffirms that Israel’s colonization of Palestinian land is illegal.

Recognition of Palestine is a nonviolent action that supports the enforcement of international law, one that reaffirms the international community’s commitment to the two-state solution. It is an investment in peace.

Supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood is also considered an international responsibility according to the International Court of Justice. Moreover, the UN has repeatedly recognized that Palestinians enjoy the human rights outlined by relevant Covenants and Declarations. This includes the opportunity to “freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development", as provided by Common Article 1 of the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic and Social Rights.

Do Palestinians plan to declare a state?

Palestinians have already declared independence. On 15 November 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization’s National Council, the highest representative body of the organization, declared Palestinian independence. This declaration was historic because it signalled the PLO’s endorsement of the two-state solution formula for the conflict, including relevant UN resolutions. Subsequently, the UN acknowledged the 1988 declaration and approximately 100 countries recognized Palestine.

What do Palestinians Want out of the UN?

Palestinians want to be an equal member of the community of nations, with equal rights and sovereignty under international law that must be respected. We want to build on the historic declaration of independence and the subsequent international recognition. We want to formalize this international recognition at the United Nations, the highest international body. This step would further advance Palestinian aspirations for statehood and freedom.

What will happen in September?

The United Nations General Assembly’s Sixty-sixth session will begin in September. As such, September will mark the beginning of a process for Palestine’s admission as a full member of the UN. However, there is no time limit on the membership application process. In some cases, admission of members took a matter of days. In others, this process lasted much longer.

Does this Step Affect Palestinian Rights and Representation?

No. The Palestinian bid for international recognition and UN admission does not affect the standing of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian People nor its ability to represent all Palestinians around the world.

We think these are distorted arguments, based on faulty assumptions that ignore the extensive national and international legislation that already exists and protects Palestinian rights, including representation and return.

Consider the following:

ON REPRESENTATION

• This campaign is about the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood. This is in line with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all relevant UN resolutions regarding the question of Palestine that have been adopted over the decades and continue to be adopted.

 

• Already, 126 countries recognize the State of Palestine. Most of these recognitions came after the PLO’s National Council (PNC) declared the independence of Palestine in 1988. At the time, the PLO made clear that this declaration did not affect or alter the legitimate rights of the Palestine refugees wherever they may be, including to return and to just compensation, the status of Occupied East Jerusalem, or any other national right.

 

• An affirmation of the already existing recognition of Palestine is in line with the PLO’s position and relevant UN resolutions. The two-State solution became the official position of the Palestinian national movement in 1988.

 

• The exercise by a people of their right to self-determination is their pursuit freely, without any external interference, of their political status. In other words, only Palestinians determine how to govern themselves and who governs them. They choose their destiny. 

 

• The political structures of governance are determined freely by that people.  It is the choice of the Palestinian people and their leadership to maintain the PLO as their supreme governing body. This is our right and our decision. 

 

• No initiative in the UN regarding recognition of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the independence of the State of Palestine would “terminate” the PLO.  That is the sovereign decision of the Palestinian people and their leadership and they only.  We cannot be told by anyone that: as you are recognized as a State, now you cannot have the PLO.  If we want to maintain the PLO as a governing body, then that is our decision and that of no one else.  This is the essence of sovereignty: the right to decide your fate and to govern yourself accordingly. 

 

• Palestinians maintained and preserved the status and role of the PLO, including in specific UN resolutions. This was and remains true, even after the Palestine National Council declared the independence of Palestine in 1988 and established the provisional government of Palestine.

 

• In 1988 and 1989, our status at the UN was upgraded. Even though our designation in the UN since then has been Palestine, there was never any doubt that the PLO was the governing body that represents all Palestinians, wherever they may, as outlined in the declaration of independence. This time it is no different. 

 

• Proponents of the arguments against the Statehood initiative seem to deliberately ignore the relevant national, regional and international legislation on this issue of PLO status and representation of the Palestinian people as a whole, wherever they may be and whatever their legal status, whether refugees or civilians living under foreign occupation.

 

• Our national legislation including the PLO Charter, the PNC Declaration of Independence of Palestine, and others all safeguard Palestinian national rights and the PLO as the ultimate authority and representative for the Palestinian people as a whole, whether inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory (including the nearly 2 million registered refugees in the OPT itself between the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip) or in the Diaspora. Even the PA legislation makes clear it is a subsidiary body to the PLO. 

 

• Every year, the UN adopts resolutions regarding the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and all aspects of the plight and rights of the Palestine refugees.

 

ON THE RIGHT OF RETURN

• The PLO has a signed agreement with UNRWA and the PLO-Palestine's role is a member of the Advisory Commission of UNRWA advocating on behalf of the Palestine refugees.   

 

• The claim that such an initiative would relinquish the right of the Palestine refugees to return and/or to just compensation is also unfounded and not based in legal fact.  The refugee issue is a core issue, a final status issue, and a political issue that requires a just and comprehensive political solution. 

 

• Addressing the issue of the State and the right to self-determination does not negate the rights, status or claims of the Palestine refugees.  Nor does it negate the requirement for a just and comprehensive solution addressing this refugee issue as a primary national issue for the Palestinian people, which is also a priority regional issue concerning the countries neighboring Palestine that have been hosting Palestine refugees for almost seven decades, namely Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

 

• Achieving one right does not cancel the other. The Palestinian right to return is a personal and collective right enshrined in numerous UN resolutions. Equally, the right to independence and self-determination is a national and inalienable right also enshrined in UN resolutions and international law. The same applies to all our national and human rights.

 

• This argument plays in the hands of the related harmful and rhetorical Israeli arguments.  This argument is baseless, because even in the context of negotiations and the peace process, and even in the context of the infamous Roadmap, it has been repeatedly stated that a just, agreed, fair solution for the refugees must be arrived at.  Such an Israeli position negating the rights of the refugees is neither just, nor would it ever be agreed to by Palestine and it is an internationally, regionally and nationally known fact this issue must be resolved for an end of all claims in the conflict.

 

• The UN is not a non-governmental organization; it is the world body representing the international community, in which the Palestinian people have been represented by their sole legitimate representative, the PLO, since 1974. There has never been a so-called division of representation of the Palestinian people in this world body; we are one, both the Palestine refugees in the Diaspora and Palestinian civilian population living under occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  All segments of our people – under occupation, in the refugee camps, and living in exile are represented as one people with a just and noble cause.

 

• Another matter that seems to not be understood is the status of the Palestinian people’s representation in other international, regional and political organizations.  As mentioned earlier, Palestine is a full member in the Arab League and its representation in this body is of all Palestinians.  Palestine is also a full member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Group of 77 and China and in these bodies it represents all of the Palestinian people.  They, their rights and their plight - as refugees and as civilians under foreign occupation - are fully addressed and represented by Palestine in these bodies. 

 

Does Palestine fulfil the prerequisites to Statehood?

 

The State of Palestine has met all prerequisites to statehood listed in the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the rights and duties of states:

 

• The permanent population of our land is the Palestinian people
• Our right to self-determination has been repeatedly recognized by the UN and by the International Court of Justice in 2004.
• Our territory is recognized as the lands framed by the 1967 border, though it is occupied by Israel. 
• Palestine has the capacity to enter into relations with other states and have embassies and missions in more than 100 countries.

 

The State of Palestine also fulfils the UN membership requirements of being a peace-loving nation and committing to the principles of the United Nations Charter as well as being able and willing to carry out these obligations.  

 

Is Palestine ready for statehood?

 

Definitely. Two years ago, the Palestinian government announced a two-year state-building plan, which the international community endorsed and supported. This plan is now successfully completed.

 

In April 2011, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and UN attested that Palestinian institutions are ready for statehood and agreed that the continued Israeli occupation is the sole remaining obstacle for Palestinian statehood.  The IMF declared that Palestinians are able to perform as a “well-functioning state”.

 

Will this step end the Israeli occupation?

 

While UN admission and recognition will not physically remove Israeli forces from occupied Palestinian Territory, Palestinians believe this is a crucial step that will contribute to the inevitable end of occupation and the realization of Palestinian rights. It will realign the political process and discourse with international law and lay to rest any questions on the issue of Palestinian statehood. 

 

Is this merely a symbolic step?

 

No. International recognition and UN membership bring Palestinians closer to freedom by consecrating the two-state solution, which is the internationally-agreed formula for peace in the region. They strengthen the possibility of reaching a just and lasting peace based on the internationally endorsed terms of reference for resolving the conflict. 

 

The Palestinian campaign for recognition and UN membership also affirms respect for relevant UN resolutions, including 242. This step is also consistent with the Arab Peace Initiative, which was also endorsed by the Organization of Islamic cooperation. The initiative promises recognition of Israel and normalized relations upon ending the occupation of Arab territories that began in 1967 and reaching an agreed upon solution to the issue of the right of return.

 

By recognizing Palestine, the international community would be formalizing these terms of reference and protecting the two-state solution. 

 

Recognition and UN membership would also enable Palestine to better use the UN and other international forums to advance its just cause for freedom and independence. As an occupied people, Palestinians have been at a certain disadvantage at the United Nations. They are unable to sign treaties or enter international bodies and agreements. By achieving UN membership, these so far closed doors would finally open to Palestine and its cause. 

 

Does this step violate previous signed agreements?

 

No. Recognizing the State of Palestine is consistent with the basis of the Declaration of Principles, including the principle of the two-state solution and relevant UN resolutions like 242 and 338. These terms of reference have been consistently undermined by Israel’s unilateral actions, including the continued illegal construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.    

 

Is this a unilateral step?

 

On the contrary, going to the United Nations, which represents the voice of the world, is the ultimate expression of multilateralism. Palestine is asking the world to act collectively in the interest of peace.

 

It is Israel that has taken illegal and unilateral actions, including the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and construction of the Wall. In fact, since the Oslo Accords, the Israeli settler population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has doubled; from nearly 250,000 in 1993 to over 505,000 today. Israel’s annexation of occupied East Jerusalem and the No Man’s Land and closure of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea are also unilateral measures which the international community considers illegal impediments to peace. Today, Israel’s unilateral actions of settlement expansion and Wall construction take up almost 50% of the occupied West Bank. 

 

Does recognition of Palestine delegitimize Israel?

 

No. Many countries which have already recognized the State of Palestine, like the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, maintain solid relations with Israel. Additionally, Palestinians recognized Israel in 1993.  

 

In contrast, there is international consensus that Israel’s policies of occupation are illegitimate. Palestinians also believe that Israel’s policies and practices are turning the 44 year-old occupation into annexation, which is also illegal.

 

We want to delegitimize the occupation and its destructive policies. This is peace-driven agenda that seeks the legitimization of a viable and durable peace through freedom.