Public Lecture on “Palestine as a Non-Member State at the UN: The Importance and Consequences”

On Tuesday December 12, 2012 the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies held a public lecture on “Palestine as a Non-Member State at the UN: The Importance and Consequences”, which included both Dr. Asem Khalil, Dean of the faculty of Law and Public Administration  and Dr. Husam Zumlot, Professor of Strategic Studies at the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies.

Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Bargouthi, Director of IALIIS, opened the lecture by referring to the interest of IALIIS in discussing issues that fall under the national and intellectual arena. He also emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue, respecting the minds of the public and seeking to provide information based on scientific basis.  

From his side, Dr. Zumlot based his discussion on the status of Palestine as a non member state into three schools: overly optimistic, overly pessimistic, and the last and most important school is the critical which seeks to understand crucial issues and explore its weaknesses and strengths.

Dr. Zumlot also spoke about the problems which the Palestinian Authority faces from the beginning of its establishment, which have made the PA more vulnerable. One of the main problems it faces is the issue of unilateral recognition, the absence of a clear national and political reference, in addition to the initial political and economic agreements which have contributed in transforming the PA from the nuclease of the state to a burden on the future Palestinian state. Also throughout the negotiations process the insistence of Israel on refusing the idea of a Palestinian state and considers that at the most what can be offered for the PA is self determination, which has contributed in the decline of the PA’s popular support.

From his side, Dr. Asem Khalil expressed his personal opinion which refuses accepting Palestine as a non member observer state at the UN. He stated that his opinion has not yet been scientifically proven, but it represents the thoughts and questions of many citizens.

Dr. Khalil sees that the issue of statehood is not at the center of the Palestinian question. The main concern of Palestinians is liberation, thus the establishment of a state is not an alternative for this demand. He further adds that: “I don’t see how heading to the UN contributes in establishing a full Palestinian state form a legal point of view, it is more of a mass popular disguise that has been given more attention than it deserves.”

Dr. Khalil also expressed his fears of the establishment of this state on the refugee question, the issue of double citizenship, and resistance.