Yasser Arafat at the United Nations: The Olive Branch and the Gun

On 13 November 1974, Yasser Arafat addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York — the first time the PLO appeared before the Assembly as the representative of the Palestinian people, following an invitation extended by Resolution 3210. He closed with an appeal that became one of the most famous sentences in Palestinian political history:

“Today I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom-fighter’s gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat: do not let the olive branch fall from my hand.”

Nine days later, on 22 November 1974, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 3236, affirming the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination and the right of return, and Resolution 3237, granting the PLO observer status at the United Nations.

Context

• Full text of the speech — PalQuest
• UN verbatim record of the General Assembly debate on the question of Palestine — UNISPAL