[1] The committee was founded on 10 November 1975 by Resolution 3376 (XXX) of the General Assembly, which was concerned about the lack of progress in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process.

additionally, over the years, the committee's mandate has been expanded to include greater advocacy for the rights of the Palestinian people and the mobilization of assistance.

This new division would continue to discharge the duties of the special unit, as well as a variety of new functions aiming to establish closer cooperation of the question of Palestine within the U.N.

[8][9] The committee also convenes international meetings and conferences in various regions of the world, bringing together representatives of governments, intergovernmental and civil society organizations, United Nations system entities, academics, the media and others.

The day commemorates the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 181(II) in 1947, which advocated for the partition of Palestine into two states: one Arab and one Jewish.