BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – FACTS – ACTIONS – STORIES
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Despite a raging war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza and escalating violence between Israeli forces and terrorists in the West Bank, the United Nations General Assembly took the unprecedented step during its September session of seating a representative of the Palestinian Authority among member nations for the first time. This new right was bestowed on the PA’s delegation even though it is not a full member of the international body, nor does it rule Gaza, where about 40% of Palestinians live.
The Israeli ambassador protested that the Palestinian Authority is a terror-supporting entity, “paying terrorists to slaughter us,” and that Palestinians do not even recognize Israel as a Jewish State. He stated: “Regardless of the Palestinians’ failure to meet the necessary criteria for UN membership, most of you sadly decided to reward Palestinian terror with a Palestinian State. It’s very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.
The State of Palestine held an observer-only status in the United Nations since 1974. In 2012, its status was upgraded from an “observer entity” to a “non-member observer state.” The UN adopted a resolution in May 2024 that granted new rights to the State of Palestine, excluding voting. Among the UN’s procedural rights that were granted to the Palestinian leadership beginning with this session were:
Palestinian ally nations previously sought a draft resolution in the UN Security Council in April 2024 to grant the PA, an entity without legal statehood, full membership status in the UN. The U.S. vetoed the resolution, blocking the Palestinian bid. The American ambassador: the veto “does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties.” The PA also did not satisfy a primary criteria of the UN charter for full membership: to be a “peace-loving state.”
UN Seat Rewards 10/7 Massacre
Never in its history has the General Assembly approved these rights for any other entity that was not a member state. This unprecedented action comes while Palestinian Hamas leadership in Gaza still holds 101 hostages in captivity. In the aftermath of the October 7 massacre – when Hamas raped, mutilated, mass murdered and took hostage to Gaza hundreds of innocent civilians – special honors and positions of international influence are being given to a known supporter of terrorism.
The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II with the primary goals of preventing future world wars, maintaining international peace and security, promoting peaceful relations between member nations, protecting human rights and upholding international law. Its charter states:
The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The “Isaiah Wall” outside of the United Nations with an excerpt of scripture from the Bible which symbolizes putting an end to war and transforming tools of destruction into tools to benefit humanity.
The PA was the original governing body of the West Bank and Gaza until Hamas terrorists seized power and control over the Gaza strip in 2007. Despite its newly elevated status in the UN, the PA fails to meet basic requirements for statehood, including control over a clearly defined territory, a permanent population and an effectively run government. Even as a non-member, the PA is responsible to uphold the basic tenets of the UN to maintain international peace and security – something the PA has never done.
Any UN endorsement of the PA’s attempts to obtain statehood status violate existing Palestinian-Israeli agreements, the legal basis for the PA’s existence. Both the U.S. and Israel have asserted that the prerequisite for Palestinian statehood is a peace agreement with Israel. However, leaders from several European and Muslim countries recently met in Spain to discuss a proposed schedule for establishing a two-state solution and timeline for Palestinian statehood. Israel was excluded from the meeting.
1. There has never been a sovereign Arab Palestinian state in Palestine
When the UN recommended in 1947 the partitioning of land formerly controlled by the Ottoman Empire and later Britian, it was done to establish “an Arab and a Jewish state,” – an Arab state, not a Palestinian state. Romans, who preceded the Ottomans in controlling the land, named the region “Palestina.” Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians have all had a presence in the area for millennia. The Kingdom of Israel existed more than 2,000 years before the modern State of Israel, even before Islam existed. There has never been a country known as Palestine, and the UN violates its own policies by granting elevated status to Palestine.
2. UN approval of Palestinian seat legitimizes 10/7 massacre
After the barbaric murders and kidnappings on 10/7, and the continued torture of hostages held in Gaza, the UN’s resolution legitimizes the barbaric actors involved. This encourages more violence by sending a message to the global community that terrorism can succeed. This promotion openly gives the terrorists an invisible trophy, and encouragement to continue their heinous acts of the past 11 months. Rewarding Palestinian leadership without requiring any concessions, such as the halting of violent acts, removes any incentive that would bring them to the table, leaving Israel with no one to negotiate with.
3. Not all Palestinians accept Hamas leadership
The seating of the State of Palestine at the UN is not the governing authority of all Palestinian people. When Hamas toppled the PA in Gaza in 2007, the government was split and Hamas, ruling about 40% of Palestinians, has been designated a terrorist organization. Now, the New York Times has exposed Hamas as being a tyrannical ruling party which cares little for the welfare of its people. The article detailed how Iran-backed Hamas operatives force civilian compliance through fierce intimidation, death threats and physical brutality. Recently, a Palestinian activist was attacked by Hamas militants who covered his head, dragged him and beat him with hammers and metal bars. Hamas uses civilians as human shields – intentionally putting them in the line of fire and risking the safety of those they are supposed to govern.
4. A seat at the UN for Palestine is not a path to a two-state solution
The focus of the Palestinian leadership should be on making the lives of its people better. Instead, the Palestinian Authority is successfully shifting narratives and helping to wage a global PR war against Israel. It is leveraging the UN to garner international legitimacy, which it is using to spread a false narrative to cover up its barbaric actions toward both Palestinians and Israelis. The PA is trying to use the UN to spread false narratives by skirting UN rules, and strategically positioning itself in a place of power and credibility.
You might hear: Hamas is fighting for a Palestinian state alongside Israel
REALITY: The Hamas charter specifically calls for the complete destruction of the Jewish state and has continuously stated that in its speeches and writings. Hamas aims to kill all Jews and has said that if it can, it will perpetrate more attacks like those of October 7. The Iran-backed terror group’s supporters march in the streets around the world, chanting: “We don’t want no two states, we want all of it.” Some carry Hamas flags and glorify violence against Jews in Israel and America. These are not the actions of an organization that has any intention of having its own state and co-existing in peace with Israel.
You might hear: There were no Jews in Israel until 1948
REALITY: Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 was the culmination of a millennia-old desire to ‘return home’ for many Jews. Archaeological findings and historical records affirm the deep, ancient roots of Jews in the region long before the re-establishment of Jewish independence in 1948. From Biblical times to the Kingdom of Israel to the State of Israel, Jews always have maintained a presence in their ancestral homeland. Many Jews were forced to live in exile, but Jewish communities around the world maintained a strong connection to the land through cultural, religious and historical ties. For more than 2000 years, Jews have prayed toward Israel, and almost every prayer service mentions Israel. The notion that Jews arrived in Israel only in 1948 overlooks this rich history, discounting centuries of heritage and resilience integral to the identity of the Jewish people.
Learn how to respond to criticisms targeting Israel
Supporters of Israel are on the front lines of a massive PR war. Read about the key terms in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and familiarize yourself with the history, real and factual current events and culture of Israelis, the Palestinians and the Middle East. Each newsletter’s background section and talking points provide an educational opportunity. It also is important to read a variety of viewpoints from American and Israeli news sites. Here are additional helpful resources:
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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with MERCAZ USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. MERCAZ USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.