The Creation of the Non-Member Observer State of Palestine: A Legal Analysis of Un General Assembly Resolution 67/19

The pursuit of the Palestinians’ aspiration for an independent, sovereign and recognized ‘state’ has always been met with multiple complications, both legally and politically. After almost seven decades of struggle, the issue of fulfilling the classical conditions of statehood is still contentious. On 29 November 2012, the UN General Assembly (GA) adopted Resolution 67/19 titled ‘Palestine as a non-member Observer state.’  This opinion article will provide an outlook to the Palestinians’ complicated status within the UN in three subsequent parts. The first part briefly describes the development of Palestine’s status in the UN through GA resolutions and practice, before the adoption of Resolution 67/19. The second part analyzes the adoption of this Resolution, concentrating on the legal question of whether or not the Resolution can construct Palestine as a state. The final part provides an overview to changes which occurred following the adoption of Resolution 67/19.