18:25 The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed an Arab-proposed resolution to reconsider and support the State of Palestine's membership in the United Nations by 143 for, 9 against, and 25 abstentions.

Palestine currently holds an observer status in the international body, which allows it to attend and speak in meetings discussing Palestinian and Middle East-related issues.

The historic resolution would expand the rights of Palestine in the UN but falls short of granting it full membership rights in voting.

The resolution gives Palestine several rights within the UN assembly such as the right to introduce and co-sponsor proposals and amendments within the UNGA.

Palestine can also be seated among member states, and raise procedural motions, among other rights.

18:00 The representative of Israel at the UN denounced the international body for considering the admission of Palestine to the international body as a shameful flouting of the UN Charter.

He added that admitting Palestine is tantamount to appeasement to the "terrorist-laden" Palestinian Authority and the "terrorist organization of Hamas" who want to kill all Israelis and Jews.

17:50 Riyad Mansour, the representative of Palestine at the UN, delivers a passionate speech to the UNGA demanding the international body admit the State of Palestine as a full member to end decades-old marginalization and denial of the inalienable rights of an oppressed people in waiting.

Mansour added that civilians in Rafah fear for their survival and wonder where to relocate, as Israel prepares to launch a major attack on the southern Gaza city.

“As we speak, 1.4m Palestinians in Rafah wonder if they will survive the day and wonder where to go next. There is nowhere left to go,” he said.

Mansour added that despite the countless times he has addressed the UN, he has never spoken to the international body for a more historic vote or during a time of such suffering.

“I have stood hundreds of times before at this podium, often in tragic circumstances, but none comparable to the ones my people endured today…never for a more significant vote than the one about to take place, a historic one,” he added.

Mansour said that Israel’s war is “against the Palestinian people as a whole” while describing the intense suffering experienced by civilians in the Gaza territory.

“I stand before you as every inch of Gaza has witnessed massacres, as mass graves continue to be uncovered where hospitals used to stand. As the world is barely starting to grasp the cruel and extensive nature of the actions committed against the Palestinian people,” he said.

Mansour also accused Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as using the upcoming invasion of Rafah as a way to “ensure his political survival”.

“I stand before you as the Israel prime minister is ready to kill thousands more to ensure his political survival, as he openly declares the Palestinian people [as] an existential threat and together, with his co-conspirators, continues 76 years after the Nakba, to try and finish the job,” Mansour said.

“Israel’s war is against the Palestinian people as a whole,” he said.

Mansour called out mass famine that has spread across Gaza, blaming the Israel government for failing to allow aid to the most “vulnerable people”.

“I stand before you as famine is settling in, by design and by the decision of the Israel government, killing the most vulnerable among our people, women and children” Mansour said.

“Israel closed the crossings instead of opening them…seizing by force the Palestinian crossing point of Rafah. Humanitarian convoys were attacked with its blessing and the honorable headquarters were assaulted with its complicity,” he added.

"Colonialism, occupation and death are not our fate," Mansour pleaded with the General Assembly.

The UN Charter guarantees the Right of Self Determination to the Palestinian people, he stressed.

Mansour lamented that Israel was admitted to the UN 75 years ago and the Palestinians have had to wait 75 years for the same right, urging the international body to recognize the rights of the Palestinians to their state on their ancestral land.

17:20 The UN representative for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced the draft resolution for the UN Security Council to reconsider and support Palestine’s full membership in the UN.

“Granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations will send a message in support of the two-state solution,” said delegate Mohamed Abushahab.

“By voting in favour of today’s draft resolution, you will demonstrate that the international community refuses to settle for anything less than upholding the legitimate rights of people and rejecting double standards,” Abushahab added.

17:00 The United Nations has resumed the 10th emergency special session on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The special session is to vote on a resolution for the UN Security Council to reconsider and support the full membership of Palestine in the United Nations.

President of the general assembly Dennis Francis gavelled in the session, which was previously adjourned.

The latest special session comes as Israel prepares to launch a major military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The US, UN and humanitarian agencies have warned that such a move would cause a humanitarian disaster in the region.

Prelude to vote
 

The draft resolution – proposed by the UAE as the chair of the Arab Group for May – covers observations made by Russia and China and aims to garner more European votes.

The proposed adjustments focus on ensuring this decision is taken on an exceptional basis without establishing a precedent for future cases, as several diplomats were concerned that this vote could set a precedent, citing Kosovo and Taiwan as examples, according to Reuters.

UN full membership requires the Security Council’s support and a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly, per UN regulations.

On 18 April, a draft resolution proposed by Algeria and supported by 12 votes during a UN Security Council session was blocked by a US veto.

The new text expresses “deep regret and concern” about the US negative vote on the Algerian draft.

“One negative vote by a permanent member of the Security Council prevented the adoption of the draft resolution supported by twelve members of the council recommending the admission of the State of Palestine to membership in the United Nations,” read the new draft.

It also stressed that the UN membership “is open to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.”

Since 2012, Palestine has held permanent observer status at the UN, participating only in proceedings but not voting.

Among the 193 countries, 142 officially recognize the State of Palestine.

The call for recognizing the State of Palestine comes as Israel continues its war on Gaza for the seventh month, with a recent military operation launched in Rafah on Monday.

Israel is attacking Rafah despite global warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe, as over one million internally displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in the border city.

Since 7 October, Israeli occupation forces have killed 34,844 people, injured 78,404, caused extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure, and displaced most of the strip’s residents.

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US are strongly pushing for a deal that achieves a ceasefire and a prisoner swap between the two sides.

The most recent round of negotiations in Egypt ended on Thursday with some progress seen but some controversial points remain unresolved.

Between the lines
 

The draft resolution, introduced by the United Arab Emirates, says "the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted."

It calls on the Security Council to "reconsider the matter favourably."

That is unlikely to occur, as the United States opposes any recognition of statehood outside of a bilateral accord between the Palestinians and Israel, whose current government is adamantly opposed to a two-state solution.

"You could have a sort of diplomatic doom loop, with the Assembly repeatedly calling for the Council to grant Palestine membership and the US vetoing it," said Richard Gowan, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.

The draft resolution nonetheless gives the Palestinians certain "additional rights and privileges" starting in the next session of the General Assembly, in September.

The text explicitly rules out letting them be chosen to sit on the Security Council or to vote in the General Assembly.

But it would let the Palestinians submit proposals and amendments directly, without going through another country, as is the case now.

It would also give them the right to be seated among member states alphabetically.

"When you build a building, you build it one brick at a time. If some think it's symbolic, for us it's important as we are moving forward towards our natural and legal right to be a full member of the UN," Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters Thursday.

"The symbolism is what matters," said Gowan.

"This resolution is a very clear signal to Israel and the US that it is time to take Palestinian statehood seriously."

The United States also expressed reservations.

"We're concerned about the precedent it sets," said deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood.

An earlier draft of the resolution was more vague, granting "the State of Palestine the rights and privileges" necessary to take part in the work of the assembly "on equal footing with Members States" but without specifying what rights.

The new version is in line with the UN charter, said Samuel Zbogar, the ambassador of Slovenia, which currently sits on the Security Council.

"It makes clear what additional rights will Palestine get as an observer but it doesn't touch on those elements that belong only the members," he added.

Below is the full text:

Draft Resolution on Admission of New Members to the United Nations

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and stressing in this regard the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including its resolutions concerning the Question of Palestine, including, inter alia, resolution ES-10/22 of 12 December 2023,

Recalling the relevant resolutions of the Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, by which it affirmed, inter alia, the duty of every State to promote, through joint and separate action, realization of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,

Stressing the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights,

Reaffirming its resolution 3236 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and all relevant resolutions, including resolution 78/192, reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine,

Reaffirming the principle, in line with the Charter, of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,

Stressing the need for respect for and preservation of the territorial unity, contiguity and integrity of all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Reaffirming its resolutions 43/176 of 15 December 1988 and 77/25 of 30 November 2022 and all relevant resolutions regarding the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, which, inter alia, stress the need for the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination, including the right to their independent State, the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Reaffirming its unwavering support, in accordance with international law, for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative and for the two-State solution of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borders,

Recalling its relevant resolutions on the status of Palestine in the General Assembly including its resolutions 3210 (XXIX) of 14 October 1974 and 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, resolution 43/177 of 15 December 1988, resolution 52/250 of 7 July 1998, resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012, and resolution 73/5 of 16 October 2018,

Noting that the State of Palestine is a party to many instruments concluded under the auspices of the United Nations and has joined several specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations as a full member,

Aware that the State of Palestine is a full member of the League of Arab States, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Group of Asia-Pacific States and the Group of 77 and China,

Having examined the special report of the Security Council to the General Assembly (A/78/856),

Stressing its conviction that the State of Palestine is fully qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter,

Noting the widespread affirmations of support of Members of the United Nations for the admission of the State of Palestine to membership in the United Nations,

Expressing deep regret and concern that, on 18 April 2024, one negative vote by a permanent member of the Security Council prevented the adoption of the draft resolution supported by twelve members of the Council recommending the admission of the State of Palestine to membership in the United Nations,

Recalling that membership in the United Nations is open to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations

1. Determines that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted to membership in the United Nations;

2. Accordingly recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably, in light of this determination and of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 28 May 1948, and in strict conformity with Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations;

3. Decides, on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent, to adopt the modalities set out in the annex to the present resolution for the participation of the State of Palestine in the sessions and work of the General Assembly and the international conferences convened under the auspices of the Assembly or other organs of the United Nations, as well as in United Nations conferences;

4. Requests the Economic and Social Council, insofar as the rights concerned could be exercised by a non-member of the Council, and other relevant organs, specialized agencies, organizations and entities within the United Nations system to apply the above-mentioned modalities;

5. Reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine;

6. Stresses that compliance with and respect for the Charter of the United Nations and international law is a cornerstone of peace and security in the region;

7. Calls for renewed and coordinated efforts by the international community aimed at achieving without delay an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in accordance with international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative and reaffirming in this regard its unwavering support for the two-State solution of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borders;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to take the measures necessary to implement the present resolution;

9. Decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.

The additional rights and privileges of participation of the State of Palestine shall be given effect through the following modalities as of the 79^th session of the General Assembly, without prejudice to its existing rights and privileges:

(a) The right to be seated among Member States in alphabetical order;

(b) The right of inscription on the list of speakers on agenda items other than Palestinian and Middle East issues in the order in which it signifies its desire to speak;

(c) The right to make statements on behalf of a group, including among representatives of major groups;

(d) The right to submit proposals and amendments and introduce them, including orally, including on behalf of a group;

(e) The right to co-sponsor proposals and amendments, including on behalf of a group;

(f) The right to make explanations of a vote on behalf of the State Members of a group;

(g) The right of reply regarding positions of a group;

(h) The right to raise procedural motions, including points of order and requests to put proposals to the vote, including the right to challenge the decision of the presiding officer, including on behalf of a group;

(i) The right to propose items to be included in the provisional agenda of the regular or special sessions and the right to request the inclusion of supplementary or additional items in the agenda of regular or special sessions;

(j) The right of members of the delegation of the State of Palestine to be elected as officers in the Plenary and Main Committees of the General Assembly;

(k) The right to full and effective participation in United Nations conferences and international conferences and meetings convened under the auspices of the General Assembly or, as appropriate, under the auspices of other organs of the United Nations, in line with its participation in the High-Level Political Forum.

(l) The State of Palestine, in its capacity as an observer State, does not have the right to vote in the General Assembly or to put forward its candidature to United Nations organs.