The October 1974 Arab League summit designated the PLO as the " sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people " and reaffirmed " their right to establish an independent state of urgency . " In November 1974 , the PLO was recognized as competent on all matters concerning the question of Palestine by the UN General Assembly granting them observer status as a " non-state entity " at the UN . After the 1988 Declaration of Independence , the UN General Assembly officially acknowledged the proclamation and decided to use the designation " Palestine " instead of " Palestine Liberation Organization " in the UN . In spite of this decision , the PLO did not participate at the UN in its capacity of the State of Palestine 's government
1974 Arab League summit
1974 Arab League summit
State of Palestine