New York, May 11 (AseanAll) — In a historic move, the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on May 10,2024 made a breakthrough by approving special rights for Palestine.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, this marks the first time an Observer State has been granted special rights and privileges approaching those of other UN members. Palestine has been a UN observer state since 2012. This success reaffirms the increasing global support for the Palestinian cause, further recognition of Palestine as a state within the UN, and the realization of a two-state solution.
The resolution titled "Admission of New Members in the United Nations," co-sponsored by 77 countries including Indonesia, received support from 143 UN member states. Some of the special rights and privileges granted to Palestine include the ability to sit among UN member states, propose resolutions and co-sponsor resolutions, be elected as the chair of the UN General Assembly session and various committees, and fully participate in UN conferences and international conferences under the UNGA.
With Palestine's increasing role towards full UN membership, it is hoped that the political visibility of the Palestinian issue and struggle will increase. This is expected to facilitate and expedite the re-submission of Palestine's application for full membership to the UN Security Council, especially considering that the resolution also acknowledges that Palestine meets the criteria for full membership as per the UN Charter.
The General Assembly session on May 10 began following the veto by one permanent member of the UN Security Council on Palestine's application for full membership on April 18. In response to the collective call from Arab states, the OIC, and the Non-Aligned Movement, the UN General Assembly has taken decisive steps towards advancing the Palestinian struggle and international peace efforts. Today's success is also supported by Indonesia's active role in rallying support from countries across various regions.
This success is a breakthrough for the equal rights of the Palestinian people amidst the nations of the world. At the same time, efforts for Palestine's full membership in the UN in the future will continue to be pushed forward.
