‘Historic moment’ as Palestine takes permanent seat at UN

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The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly began in New York on Tuesday with Palestine seated alongside member states in alphabetical order.

Palestine’s presence was made possible by a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 May, affirming that Palestine is eligible for full UN membership.

As a result of the change, Palestine is able to include its representatives on the list of speakers in discussions on Middle Eastern issues and present amendments and proposals. However, Palestine remains an observer state and does not have voting rights in the General Assembly. Additionally, it cannot nominate its representatives for various positions within UN bodies and agencies.

At the opening of Tuesday’s 79th General Assembly session, former Cameroonian Prime Minister Philemon Yang assumed the role of president of the session.

May’s resolution was adopted with 143 member states voting in favour. The US was among nine countries to oppose it, while 25 others abstained.

Palestine applied for full UN membership in 2011 but did not receive the necessary support from the Security Council due to a US veto. However, in 2012, it obtained “permanent observer status.”

READ: Palestine envoy to UK says, ‘We are too rooted to be removed from our land’