RESOLUTION 3236

Passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 November 1974, nine days after the Yasir Arafat addressed the General Assembly. In October, the Arab League had recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as "the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," and the UN was about to give the PLO observer status to allow it to take part in discussions on the Palestine issue for the first time. Arafat took the occasion to hint that the PLO might be willing to work for a political settlement, addressing this remark to the Israeli delegation: "I come carrying an olive branch and the rifle of a fighter for liberty; do not let the branch fall from my hand!" The resolution recognizes the Palestinians' right to a sovereign national state: "The General Assembly, Having considered the question of Palestine, Having heard the statement of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, Having also heard other statements made during the debate, Deeply concerned that no just solution to the problem of Palestine has yet been achieved and recognizing that the problem of Palestine continues to endanger international peace and security, Recognizing that the Palestinian people is entitled to self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, Expressing its grave concern that the Palestinian people has been prevented from enjoying its inalienable rights, in particular its right to self-determination, Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter, Recalling its relevant resolutions which affirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, 1. Reaffirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in Palestine, including: (a) The right to self-determination without external interference; (b) The right to national independence and sovereignty; 2. Reaffirms also the inalienable right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced and uprooted, and calls for their return; 3. Emphasizes that full respect for and the realization of these inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are indispensable for the solution of the question of Palestine; 4. Recognizes that the Palestinian people is a principal party in the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East; 5. Further recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to regain its rights by all means in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; 6. Appeals to all States and international organizations to extend their support to the Palestinian people in its struggle to restore its rights, in accordance with the Charter; 7. Requests the Secretary-General to establish contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization on all matters concerning the question of Palestine; 8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirtieth session on the implementation of the present resolution; 9. Decides to include the item entitled 'Question of Palestine' in the provisional agenda of its thirtieth session."

SEE ALSO Arafat, Yasir;League of Arab States;Palestine Liberation Organization.