From Observer Status to State Recognition
The United Nations’ engagement with Palestine dates back to 1974, when the General Assembly recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the representative of the Palestinian people and granted it non-state observer status. In 1988, following the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, Resolution 43/177formally acknowledged “Palestine” as the designation for the PLO within the UN system. The most significant upgrade came on 29 November 2012, when Resolution 67/19 granted Palestine the status of non-member Observer State, enabling participation in international treaties and agencies while leaving voting rights in the Assembly absent. A further upgrade followed in May 2024, when Resolution ES-10/23 expanded Palestine’s rights, including seating among member states, though still stopping short of full UN membership.
Growing International Recognition
As of September 2025, 156 out of 193 UN member states have formally recognized the State of Palestine, representing roughly 80% of UN members. Recognition has accelerated recently, particularly ahead of the UN General Assembly, reflecting increased international support for Palestinian statehood. On 22–23 September 2025, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco officially recognized Palestine, joining Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, which had declared recognition earlier. While largely symbolic, these moves signify a major diplomatic shift and a broadening global consensus on the need for a two-state solution, even as full UN membership remains blocked by Israel and the United States.
What It Means Amid the Current Conflict
These recognitions come amid intense violence in Gaza, which escalated following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the deadliest assault in the country’s history, resulting in thousands of deaths and abductions. In response, Israel launched large-scale military operations in Gaza, causing widespread civilian displacement and infrastructure destruction. International recognition of Palestine provides moral and symbolic support to a population enduring immense suffering. It also strengthens Palestine’s voice in global forums and bolsters its position in diplomatic negotiations, even though formal UN membership remains out of reach. The wave of recognitions in September 2025, particularly by influential European nations like France and Belgium, offers Palestinians renewed hope that their aspirations for statehood are gaining traction internationally, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis on the ground.
