In anticipation of projected political developments the day after Palestine receives non-member status in the UN next month, chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat listed the following goals of the Palestinian leadership in going to the UN:
1. To earn the non-member state status for the Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967 (the Armistice Line of 1949)
2. The projected resolution of the General Assembly would call for convening an international conference for peace in the Middle East based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
3. The resolution would not accept any moves that bar Palestine’s membership in any international forum, including the International Criminal Court, ICC.
4. This status does not prejudice the sole legitimate representation of the Palestinian people by the PLO, nor does it affect their right to return as stipulated in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194.
5. The annexation of occupied East Jerusalem and all forms of Israeli settlement activities are non-binding, illegal, null and void.
6. All relevant international resolutions on Palestine will gain further power as fundamental terms of reference for solving the question of Palestine.
Erekat explained that currently 133 states recognize the state of Palestine, and upgrading its status in the UN would give this state a better position in international forums and allow it to fight illegal measures taken by the Israeli occupation in a more effective manner by means of solidifying international consensus against those measures. The most important thing, he said, is bringing to an end all debate about the legal status of the state of Palestine as a recognized international entity.