Palestinian Declaration of Independence — statement written by Mahmoud Darwish and proclaimed by Yasser Arafat
The Palestinian Declaration of Independence formally proclaimed the State of Palestine and elevated Yasser Arafat to its first president.
Key Facts
- Date of proclamation
- 15 November 1988
- PNC votes in favour
- 253 votes
- PNC votes against
- 46 votes
- PNC abstentions
- 10 votes
- PNC session
- 19th Palestinian National Council
- Arafat elected president
- April 1989 by PLO Central Council
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Palestine Liberation Organization, seeking formal international recognition of Palestinian statehood, convened the 19th Palestinian National Council in Algiers. The council voted to adopt a declaration of independence, with 253 members in favour, 46 against, and 10 abstaining, reflecting longstanding Palestinian national aspirations for a sovereign state.
On 15 November 1988 in Algiers, Yasser Arafat proclaimed the Palestinian Declaration of Independence before the closing session of the 19th PNC, reading aloud the document written by poet Mahmoud Darwish. The assembly received the declaration with a standing ovation, and Arafat immediately assumed the title of President of Palestine as PLO chairman.
Following the proclamation, the PLO Central Council formally elected Arafat as the first president of the State of Palestine in April 1989. The declaration prompted widespread international recognition of Palestinian statehood, significantly raising the PLO's diplomatic standing and reshaping the terms of the Israeli-Palestinian political conflict.
Political Outcome
The State of Palestine was formally declared, and Yasser Arafat assumed the presidency of Palestine.
PLO governed as a liberation organization without formal statehood declaration
State of Palestine formally proclaimed; Arafat titled President of Palestine