UNITED NATIONS — The Palestinians on Monday became an observer for the first time at the annual meeting of states that have joined the International Criminal Court, upgrading their status within the organization but not, crucially, coming under the court’s jurisdiction.

The change is symbolic but significant nonetheless, considering how elusive statehood has proved for the Palestinians in their prolonged conflict with Israel.

The General Assembly of the United Nations voted to recognize Palestine as a “non-member observer state” in a landmark resolution in November 2012.

That recognition gave the Palestinians the right, if they wished, to ratify the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.