← Votes

A/RES/67/19 GA

Status of Palestine in the United Nations

67
Session
138
Yes
9
No
41
Abstentions
Draft symbol A/67/L.28
Adopted symbol A/RES/67/19
Category POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS
Voeten Topics
Significance ★ Important vote US State Dept designation
P5 Positions
Russia United States United Kingdom ~ China France
UN Document A/RES/67/19 ↗

Vote Recorded VoteA/67/PV.44 Nov. 29, 2012

— Abstain (42)
✗ No (9)
Absent (5)
✓ Yes (138)
Speeches following this vote (20) may include explanations of vote
The President
I now give the floor to His Excellency Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Secretary-General
An important vote has taken place today in the General Assembly. The decision by the General Assembly to accord Palestine non-member State status in the United Nations was a prerogative of the Member States. I stand ready to fulfil my role and report to the Assembly as requested in resolution 67/19. My position has been consistent all along. I believe that the Palestinians have a legitimate righ…
The President
I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. We shall now proceed to explanations of vote. I should like to remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Ms. Rice (United States of America)
For decades, the United States has worked to help achieve a comprehensive end to the long and tragic Arab- Israeli conflict. We have always been clear that only through direct negotiations between the parties can the Palestinians and Israelis achieve the peace that both deserve — two States for two peoples, with a sovereign, viable and independent Palestine living side by side in peace and securi…
Mr. Araud (France)
In voting today for the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer State of the Organization, France has voted in favour of the two-State solution, of two States for two peoples, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within secure and internationally recognized borders; we have voted in favour of a solution that we had advocated before the entire international com…
Mr. Chua (Singapore)
My delegation supports the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland. That is why Singapore supported resolutions 66/17 and 66/18 of 30 November 2011. However, we abstained in the voting on today’s resolution 67/19 because we believe that only a negotiated settlement consistent with Security Council resolution 242 (1967) can provide the basis for a viable, long-term solution. Both sides have …
Mr. Wittig (Germany)
Germany firmly believes in two States, Israel and Palestine, for two peoples in the Middle East. We share the goal of a Palestinian State. Germany has worked towards that end for years, mainly through its support for the State-building efforts of the Palestinian Authority. Yet it must be clear to everybody that a Palestinian State can be achieved only through direct negotiations between Israelis …
Mr. Seger (Switzerland)
Switzerland’s decision to vote in favour of resolution 67/19, adopted today by the General Assembly, was motivated by our desire to resolve the current stalemate in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and to relaunch the peace process. We believe that Palestine’s elevation to observer State status within the United Nations will revive the concept of a two-State solution in the context of the Israeli…
Mr. Grauls (Belgium)
Belgium fully associates itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union in this debate, and wishes to make the following observations. Today’s vote is a significant step towards the creation of a State of Palestine, which we all look forward to. But Belgium believes that true progress will be made when the Palestinians will be able to benefit on the ground from the ex…
Mr. Tafrov (Bulgaria)
Bulgaria subscribes to the declaration on the Middle East peace process and the statement to be made shortly on behalf of the European Union. Allow me in my national capacity to present a brief explanation of our vote. My delegation abstained in the voting on resolution 67/19 after careful analysis. We do not expect the resolution to change the reality on the ground between Israel and Palestine,…
Mr. Starčević (Serbia)
First of all, I want to warmly congratulate Palestine on achieving the status of non-member observer State in the United Nations. This is an important step in the long — and I would say far too long — journey towards the realization of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to statehood. For the 132 Members of the United Nations that have so far recognized the State of Palestine, it…
Ms. Flores (Honduras)
As we voted today in favour of resolution 67/19 on the status of Palestine in the United Nations, the Government of Honduras could not help but recall the motives that led our peoples to establish this extraordinary Organization — to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equ…
Mr. Staur (Denmark)
On this very day 65 years ago in this Assembly (see A/PV.128), Denmark voted in favour of the establishment of two States in the former mandate of Palestine. Today, by voting in favour of resolution 67/19, we reaffirmed our commitment to a two-State solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security…
Mr. Ragaglini (Italy)
In accordance with the long-standing position of the European Union, Italy is strongly committed to a comprehensive negotiated peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as being in the fundamental interests of the European Union as well as of the parties in the region. Our strong support for Palestinian State-building efforts and our excellent bilateral relations with both parties are grounded in …
Mr. Mitsialis (Greece)
Greece’s vote in favour of resolution 67/19, on upgrading Palestine’s status to that of a non-member observer State, was guided by our long-standing position of principle that the resolution of the Middle East question should be based on two States, an independent and viable Palestinian State coexisting in peace and security with the State of Israel. It is our firm belief that that is the only so…
Mr. Körösi (Hungary)
Hungary abstained in the voting on resolution 67/19 based on the following considerations. Hungary’s position on the Middle East peace process, the status of Palestine and the decision made today are based on the fundamental interest of Hungary and the European Union in peace and stability in the region. When we evaluate any initiatives, including today’s resolution, we pay attention to all the …
Mr. Sajdik (Austria)
Austria would like to express its full support for the positions expressed in the statement of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, earlier today, and for the statement by the observer of the European Union to be delivered later. Austria’s vote in favour of resolution 67/19 is a vote in support of a two-State solution. It is a v…
Mrs. Hrdá (Czechia)
I would like to reiterate the Czech Republic’s support for negotiations leading to Palestine’s statehood and all constructive steps to that end. In that regard, we continue to encourage both sides to return to direct talks leading to a negotiated two-State solution without delays or preconditions. On several occasions the Czech Republic has called on all the parties concerned to avoid any step t…
Mr. Viinanen (Finland)
Finland voted in favour of resolution 67/19 with the aim of strengthening prospects for a Palestinian State and showing support for the moderate forces that are committed to pursuing that objective through negotiations. We are committed to a two-State solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and securi…
Mr. Quinlan (Australia)
Australia’s decision to abstain in the voting on resolution 67/19 balances our long-standing support of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and their own State with our concern that the only durable basis for the resolution of this conflict is direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The resolution does not confer statehood; it grants non-member observer Stat…
Full text of resolution OCR extract — may contain errors
United Nations A/RES/67/19 General Assembly Distr.: General 4 December 2012 Sixty-seventh session Agenda item 37 12-47974 *1247974* Please recycle Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 29 November 2012 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/67/L.28 and Add.1)] 67/19. Status of Palestine in 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 resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, 1 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, Recalling its resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947, Reaffirming the principle, set out in the Charter, of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, Reaffirming also relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 446 (1979) of 22 March 1979, 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003 and 1850 (2008) of 16 December 2008, Reaffirming further the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,2 to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, including with regard to the matter of prisoners, Reaffirming its resolution 3236 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and all relevant resolutions, including resolution 66/146 of 19 December 2011, reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine, _______________ 1 Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. 2 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. A/RES/67/19 2 Reaffirming also its resolutions 43/176 of 15 December 1988 and 66/17 of 30 November 2011 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 and the right to their independent State, a just resolution of the problem of the Palestine refugees in conformity with resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948 and the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Reaffirming further its resolution 66/18 of 30 November 2011 and all relevant resolutions regarding the status of Jerusalem, bearing in mind that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community, and emphasizing the need for a way to be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the capital of two States, Recalling the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004,3 Reaffirming its resolution 58/292 of 6 May 2004 affirming, inter alia, that the status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, remains one of military occupation and that, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and to sovereignty over their territory, Recalling its resolutions 3210 (XXIX) of 14 October 1974 and 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, by which, respectively, the Palestine Liberation Organization was invited to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly as the representative of the Palestinian people and was granted observer status, Recalling also its resolution 43/177 of 15 December 1988, by which it, inter alia, acknowledged the proclamation of the State of Palestine by the Palestine National Council on 15 November 1988 and decided that the designation “Palestine” should be used in place of the designation “Palestine Liberation Organization” in the United Nations system, without prejudice to the observer status and functions of the Palestine Liberation Organization within the United Nations system, Taking into consideration that the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in accordance with a decision by the Palestine National Council, is entrusted with the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of the State of Palestine,4 Recalling its resolution 52/250 of 7 July 1998, by which additional rights and privileges were accorded to Palestine in its capacity as observer, Recalling also the Arab Peace Initiative adopted in March 2002 by the Council of the League of Arab States,5 Reaffirming its commitment, in accordance with international law, to the two- State solution of an independent, sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous State _______________ 3 See A/ES-10/273 and Corr.1. 4 See A/43/928, annex. 5 A/56/1026-S/2002/932, annex II, resolution 14/221. A/RES/67/19 3 of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, Bearing in mind the mutual recognition of 9 September 1993 between the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, Affirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders, Commending the Palestinian National Authority’s 2009 plan for constructing the institutions of an independent Palestinian State within a two-year period, and welcoming the positive assessments in this regard about readiness for statehood by the World Bank, the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund and as reflected in the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee Chair conclusions of April 2011 and subsequent Chair conclusions, which determined that the Palestinian Authority is above the threshold for a functioning State in key sectors studied, Recognizing that full membership is enjoyed by Palestine in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia and the Group of Asia-Pacific States and that Palestine is also a full member of the League of Arab States, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Group of 77 and China, Recognizing also that, to date, 132 States Members of the United Nations have accorded recognition to the State of Palestine, Taking note of the 11 November 2011 report of the Security Council Committee on the Admission of New Members,6 Stressing the permanent responsibility of the United Nations towards the question of Palestine until it is satisfactorily resolved in all its aspects, Reaffirming the principle of universality of membership of the United Nations, 1. Reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to independence in their State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967; 2. Decides to accord to Palestine non-member observer State status in the United Nations, without prejudice to the acquired rights, privileges and role of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the United Nations as the representative of the Palestinian people, in accordance with the relevant resolutions and practice; 3. Expresses the hope that the Security Council will consider favourably the application submitted on 23 September 2011 by the State of Palestine for admission to full membership in the United Nations;7 4. Affirms its determination to contribute to the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the attainment of a peaceful settlement in the Middle East that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and fulfils the vision of two States: an independent, sovereign, democratic, contiguous and _______________ 6 S/2011/705. 7 A/66/371-S/2011/592, annex I. A/RES/67/19 4 viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Israel on the basis of the pre-1967 borders; 5. Expresses the urgent need for the resumption and acceleration of negotiations within the Middle East peace process based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative5 and the Quartet road map to a permanent two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict8 for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides that resolves all outstanding core issues, namely the Palestine refugees, Jerusalem, settlements, borders, security and water; 6. Urges all States and the specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system to continue to support and assist the Palestinian people in the early realization of their right to self-determination, independence and freedom; 7. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to implement the present resolution and to report to the General Assembly within three months on progress made in this regard. 44th plenary meeting 29 November 2012 _______________ 8 S/2003/529, annex.
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UN Project. “A/RES/67/19.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/A-RES-67-19/. Accessed .