UNITED NATIONS: The Palestinian people, after 27 years in the wilderness, re-emerged as a nation last night [Nov 22] when the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions endorsing their “inalienable right to self-determination, independence and national sovereignty” and granted their representatives permanent observer status at the [UN]. Like the legendary phoenix, Palestine has risen from the ashes.

Drawing cheers from the Third World and the Communist countries, it was an impressive and significant consecration. The vote was by 89 to eight, with 37 abstentions. The resolution also said the Palestinians could recover their rights by all available means conforming with the aims and principles of the UN Charter.

Those voting against, in addition to Israel, were the United States, Iceland, Norway, Bo­­l­i­via, Chile, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The nine European Common Market countries were among the abstainers. The Assembly then voted … in favour of giving the Palestine Liberation Organisation … observer status in the General Assembly. … Ten years after its birth, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has entered the United Nations as an observer. It is a unique case in the history of the UN.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024