General Assembly
The General Assembly is the
main deliberative organ of the United Nations, composed of representatives of all Member States. The
question of Palestine was first brought before the General Assembly in 1947. By resolution
181 (II),
the Assembly decided to partition Palestine into two states, one Arab and one
Jewish, with Jerusalem placed under a special international regime. After the
proposed Arab State failed to materialize, the question was discussed mainly as
a refugee issue, or in the context of regional peace and security.
Resolution 194 (III) established the Conciliation Commission for Palestine and reaffirmed the
rights of Palestine refugees to return and restitution. UNRWA was established
by the Assembly in 1949.
In 1974, the question of Palestine was re-introduced in the Assembly's agenda. Resolution 3236 (XXIX) reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty, and the right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and property. In 1975, the Assembly established the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Over the years, the question of Palestine and related issues have been the subject of numerous resolutions and decisions adopted by the Assembly's regular, special and emergency special sessions.
See also:
The United Nations
and the Question of Palestine