Recently, the international arena has witnessed increasing momentum around the Palestinian issue, with renewed strong discussions about establishing an independent Palestinian state and drafting a new constitution that would mark a different phase of political struggle. These developments come amid intensive diplomatic moves at the UN Security Council and General Assembly, where several European countries have recognized the Palestinian state, reflecting a growing international will to grant Palestinians their right to self-determination.

Amid these proposals, a fundamental question arises regarding the future of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), this historic umbrella that has protected Palestinian national rights for decades and has been the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Founded in 1964, the PLO represented the unifying framework for various national forces, carried the project of liberation and return, and remained for decades the guardian of Palestinian identity in international forums.

However, current transformations place it at a critical crossroads: will the organization remain a comprehensive reference framework with the establishment of the state and drafting of a new constitution, or will the state absorb the organization and weaken its symbolic and historical status? This analytical article addresses these questions by reviewing the organization’s historic role, the challenges it faces in the new political scene, the potential risks of marginalization, and a strategic vision to preserve its pivotal role in the Palestinian future.

The Historical Role of the PLO: The Umbrella of National Struggle

Since its establishment in 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization has not been merely a political entity but a living embodiment of the Palestinian people’s will to determine their fate and reclaim their rights. It was founded in a complex regional and international context, where there was an urgent need for a unifying framework representing Palestinians in the diaspora and homeland, leading the national liberation project. The Palestinian National Congress in Jerusalem ratified its national charter and basic system, thus announcing the birth of the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

The organization’s importance manifested in several pivotal roles:

• Legitimate Representation and International Recognition: The PLO was the official voice of Palestinians on the international stage. After recognition by the Arab League, it gained UN recognition in 1974 as “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” granting it unprecedented diplomatic status. This recognition enabled it to present the Palestinian cause in international forums, expose occupation practices, and rally support for the just cause. The organization was the guardian of Palestinian identity in a world that sought to marginalize or erase it.
• Leading Armed and Political Struggle: The organization led the armed struggle against Israeli occupation through its various factions and was the spearhead of Palestinian resistance. At the same time, it did not neglect the political aspect, engaging in fierce diplomatic battles to defend Palestinian rights. The PLO was the umbrella that united various ideological and political currents, from militants to diplomats, in a single crucible aimed at liberation and return.
• Preserving National Identity in the Diaspora: The PLO played a vital role in preserving Palestinian national identity, especially among Palestinians scattered worldwide. It worked to enhance cultural and historical awareness and support educational and social institutions to ensure new generations do not forget their homeland and rights. The organization served as a “public space” connecting Palestinians to each other and their cause, regardless of their location.
• Declaration of the Palestinian State and the Peace Process: In 1988, the PLO declared the establishment of the State of Palestine from Algeria, a historic declaration widely recognized by the international community. The organization then participated in peace negotiations that led to the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority. Despite the controversy surrounding these agreements, they represented the organization’s attempt to achieve part of the national goals through the political path.

In summary, over decades, the PLO has been a symbol of revolutionary legitimacy, bearer of the liberation and return project, and protector of national constants. It embodied the unity of the Palestinian people everywhere, inside the homeland and in the diaspora, and steadfastly upheld fundamental issues such as the right of return. This historic role makes its future amid current developments a subject of deep discussion and existential questions.

The PLO at a Crossroads: Challenges and Risks

With increasing talk about establishing an independent Palestinian state and drafting a new constitution, the PLO faces a critical turning point that raises fundamental questions about its future and role. After decades as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and the historic umbrella protecting their national rights, challenges and risks emerge that may affect its status and effectiveness.

Main challenges:

• Balancing the Temporary and the Permanent: The fundamental dilemma lies in balancing the nature of the expected state as a political entity on a defined territory with a constitution, and the PLO which has embodied over time the unity of the Palestinian people everywhere, inside the homeland and in the diaspora. The state naturally focuses on geography and citizenship within certain borders, while the organization represents a broader extension including refugees and displaced persons.
• Risk of Marginalizing Diaspora Issues and the Right of Return: If the state alone is elevated, there is fear that essential issues such as the right of return and the diaspora may be marginalized. These have historically been firmly carried by the PLO and considered national constants. Focusing on building state institutions may weaken attention to these critical issues affecting millions of Palestinians outside the expected state’s borders.
• Dissolution of Symbolic and Historical Status: The establishment of the state may “swallow” the organization, weakening its status.