Explainer: Can the Palestinians Achieve Full United Nations Membership?

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS – When Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas heads to New York this month for the annual assembly of global leaders at the United Nations, he will be seated on the General Assembly floor among representatives from other member states for the first time.

However, it is important to note that the Palestinian Authority, which officially represents the Palestinian people at the U.N. under the designation of the State of Palestine, is classified as a non-member and lacks voting rights in the 193-member General Assembly.

What is the Current Status of the Palestinians at the U.N.?

The Palestinians hold the status of a non-member observer state at the United Nations, similar to that of the Holy See. In November 2012, the General Assembly granted de facto recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state by upgrading its status from "entity" to "non-member state." This resolution passed with 138 votes in favor, nine against, and 41 abstentions.

What Happened This Year?

In May, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a Palestinian initiative to gain full U.N. membership by acknowledging that Palestine qualifies to join. It also recommended that the U.N. Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably." This resolution not only advanced Palestine’s bid but also awarded some additional rights and privileges beginning September 2024, including a seat among U.N. members in the assembly hall.

The May vote represented a global assessment of support for the Palestinian request for full membership, especially after the United States vetoed a similar proposal in the U.N. Security Council in April. Despite the General Assembly’s backing, the Palestinians still remain classified as a non-member observer state since the Security Council has yet to act on the recommendation.

How Does the United Nations Admit New Member States?

Countries wishing to join the U.N. generally submit an application to the U.N. Secretary-General, who forwards it to the Security Council for evaluation and voting. A committee within the Security Council first reviews the application to ensure it meets membership criteria. The application can either be set aside or moved forward for a formal vote. To be approved, it requires at least nine favorable votes and no vetoes from any of the five permanent members, which include the U.S., Russia, France, China, and the United Kingdom.

If the Security Council approves the application, it proceeds to the General Assembly for consideration, needing a two-thirds majority for final approval. A country cannot officially join the United Nations without both the Security Council and the General Assembly’s consent.

What Happened to the Palestinian Application in 2011?

A U.N. Security Council committee reviewed the Palestinian membership application over several weeks but could not reach a consensus. Consequently, the Security Council never held a formal vote on the matter. Diplomats indicated that the Palestinians did not possess the minimum nine votes necessary for adoption of a resolution, and even with sufficient support, the United States had stated its intention to veto.