Unraveling Dynamics: Investigating the United Nations’ Role and Peacekeeping Strategies in Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Unraveling Dynamics: Investigating the United Nations’ Role and Peacekeeping Strategies in Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

H.E.N. Priyadarshani

Department of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.804081

Received: 19 March 2024; Revised: 30 March 2024; Accepted: 04 April 2024; Published: 07 May 2024

ABSTRACT

The Middle East region can be described as a one where conflicts often arise. The conflict between Israel and Palestine that commenced in 1947 is also such a conflict. The conflict between these two States has erupted in violent forms from time to time till year 2024. The United Nations Organization, which was established to world peace and protection, has intervened to resolve this issue but has so far failed to enforce a permanent solution. The research question studied the lack of strong intervention by the United Nations in resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine, despite its role as the primary global organization for international peace and protection. The main objective of this research is to study the actions taken by the United Nations Organization in order to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine. This research utilized secondary data sources for qualitative analysis. To date, the United Nations Organization has failed to find and implement a permanent solution to the conflict based on the agreement of both parties. The factors influencing this are as follows: Israel has the support of Western countries. Since Israel is a member state of the United Nations Organization, it is not possible to resolve the conflict through a non-partisan approach. Additionally, the proposals brought forth to resolve the conflict are not of a practical level, which is unacceptable to both states. The powerful central States that dominate the world authority and the United Nations Organization are directly responsible for such dangerous wars between Israel and Palestine. It has become generalized for them to foster such conflicts in the world for their own political goals and agendas.

Keywords- Conflict, Israel and Palestine, Peace, Permanent solution, United Nation Organization

INTRODUCTION

Among the crises and wars in world politics, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has taken an important place. Arabs reside in Palestine, while Jews reside in Israel. Based on historical factors, both nations claim the same land, which has fueled a conflict that has been evolving for decades (Gelvin, 2014). During the period after the First World War, the Ottomans ruled the area known as Middle East Palestine, and they were defeated by the British and established their dominion there (Fromkin & Vries, 2018). Jews lived as a minority in that area and Arabs were the majority. A conflict situation between these two parties first arose through the British intervention in the work of building a permanent residence for the Jews in Palestine. Although the Jews claimed that the land was their ancestral home, the Palestinian Arabs also claimed it and opposed the decision to be taken by Britain. Later, the number of Jewish people coming to Palestine grew due to the harassment of the Jews from external countries. As a result of this situation, violence against the Jewish people as well as against the British State developed in Palestine. In the face of all these circumstances, in 1947 the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization approved the partition of Palestine based on Arabs and Jews. According to the convention in 1948, it was possible to establish the Jewish State called Israel in the Palestinian territory (United Nations, 1947). In this way, Israel, which came into being with the support of the international community, gradually acquired the land belonging to Palestine and neighboring States and succeeded in expanding the territory of the Jewish State of Israel. Religion was the main factor that stimulated the Jews to develop this land and stay here (Gelvin, 2014). That is, the establishment of the borders mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible called the “Promised Land” (Gelvin, 2014). Accordingly, the expansion of Israel’s territory based on those facts can be seen in the previous decades.

A significant factor contributing to the expansion of Israeli territories and the empowerment of the Jewish population is the considerable economic influence wielded by Jews residing both within and outside of America. Additionally, the extensive network of relationships maintained by Israeli Jews with their counterparts living abroad has played a crucial role in bolstering their position and fostering the growth of the nation. (Slezkine, 2019). Due to all these circumstances, the Arabs who are living in Palestine are limited in their land, and their residence is limited to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (Simons, 2006). Palestine can be called a nation that has become a refugee in its own country. As a result of all these circumstances, armed fighters emerged in the Gaza Strip, and rebel organizations such as Fatah and Hamas took precedence there (Simons, 2006). Israel responded in a very serious way to the activities of the rebel groups in Palestine. The crisis has turned into an unresolved war for decades. Accordingly, from 1948 until 2024, a large number of wars, conflict crises, and special events have been created centered on Israel and Palestine. Among them are the 1956 War, the 1967 Six Day War, the 1972 Invasion, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the 1978 Camp David Accords, the 1987 First Intifada, the 1983 Oslo Accords, the 1995 Assassination of the Israeli Prime Minister, the 2000 Second Intifada, and the sporadic war situations that have occurred since then are exceptional (Laqueur & Schueftan, 2016). Accordingly, the war between Israel and Palestine did not happen yesterday, but it is the result of a crisis that has been developing for a long period.  Another war emerged in 2023 as an extension of many wars in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The specialty of this is that, unlike the past military situations, there is a very severe military approach in the war that commenced on October 7, 2023. Within a span of 20 minutes, approximately 5,000 rocket attacks have targeted Israel. This situation can be characterized as extending beyond the bounds of a conventional war (Al Jazeera, 2023). According to the facts, it is clear that this attack was launched on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Yom Kapur War, which took place on October 6, 1973. With the outbreak of this war, the Security Council of the United Nations Organization met suddenly but failed to make a direct decision to prevent this situation (Council on Foreign Relations, 2023).

The United Nations Organization is the only global organization in the world known for preventing wars between nations and establishing peace.  The United Nations Organization was formed in 1945 with the participation of 51 founding member States on the full agreement of the Allied States after the Second World War (Hanhimaki, 2015). Among the international organizations in the world, the United Nations Organization is the most powerful and the only global organization that has obtained the attention of the whole world (O’Sullivan, 2005). This organization has garnered significant power due to its unique position as the sole international body with a membership representing the majority of nations worldwide. Moreover, its goals and principles have played a pivotal role in enhancing its popularity and influence among nations on a global scale. The United Nations Organization has been named as an organization that supports the States for world peace and protection as well as socio-economic development.

There are several key points mentioned in the preamble to the Charter of the United Nations Organization. We the Peoples of The United Nations determined, firstly to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and secondly to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and thirdly to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained (United Nations, 1947). The objectives and principles of establishing the United Nations Organization are mentioned in the charter itself and can be classified into two types, while the objectives are mainly mentioned in the charter. Those are the main objectives and the additional objectives. These main objectives are stated in the first section of Chapter 1 of the Charter, and additional objectives are spread throughout the Charter. Accordingly, as per Article 1, there are four main objectives. Thus, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, to initiate all necessary steps achieve international cooperation, to name the United Nations Organization to be as the center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends. As additional objectives spread throughout the Charter of the United Nations Organization, the development of friendship between nations, acting as a center that integrates the activities of nations in achieving more specific objectives, taking appropriate measures to strengthen international peace, practicing tolerance, and living peacefully as good neighbors, respecting international law and establishing justice, etc. (United Nations, 1947).

To achieve the above objectives, the United Nations Organization has created an institutional structure within the charter, given them the necessary powers from the charter itself, and obtained the consent of all the Member States. These institutional structures include the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Affairs Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat, etc. Among these institutional structures, the most important body is the General Assembly, and the most powerful body is the Security Council. Accordingly, the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining world peace and security is vested with the Security Council. At present, the total number of members of the Security Council is 15, including the five permanent members of China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States of America and 10 non-permanent members who are appointed by the General Assembly for a period of two years. Each member is entitled to one vote. Decision-making requires the unanimity of the permanent members. In case one of the permanent members casts a dissenting vote, the proposal is rejected and is known as the permanent member’s veto power.

When the Security Council determines that the nature of the conflict is serious and thereby poses a threat to world peace and security, the Security Council can issue recommendations as well as directives. If any crisis or conflict persists and appears to be a threat to world peace and security, among the recommendations issued by the Security Council, recommendation such as; the conflict to be resolved through negotiation discussions, to be resolved through mediation, or arbitration (through the International Court of Justice), to be resolved through based on regional arrangements, to resolve through any other peaceful means chosen by the parties, etc. are seems to be important. Recommend to resolve the conflict peacefully, requesting the Member States to impose sanctions, and initiating to use of military force under the collective measures seem to be the priorities among the powers vested with the Security Council in the event of performing the responsibilities entrusted by the Charter of the United Nations about maintaining the international peace and security. Apart from these three measures, the Charter recognizes the right of Member States to act on a regional basis in international dispute settlement and to take individual or collective measures under self-defense (United Nations, 1947).

The powers vested in the Security Council to implement the policies of the United Nations Organization are set out in Paragraphs VI, VII, VIII, and XII of the Charter. Accordingly, Paragraph VI contained the powers related to the settlement of disputes (Articles 33 to 38), Paragraph VII contained the powers related to Action concerning Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression (Articles 39 to 51), Paragraph VIII contained the provisions related to regional arrangements or representative institutions in maintenance of international peace and security (Articles 52 to 60), and Paragraph XII contained the provisions related to the promote (achieve) international peace and security under the international trusteeship system (Articles 75 to 85) (United Nations, 1947).

In terms of these functions and powers, the United Nations Organization has been entrusted with the main responsibility of stopping wars to establish and maintain international peace and security. Accordingly, the role of the United Nations in the context of the conflict between Israel and Palestine is very significant. In 1947, when the Israeli-Palestinian problem arose during the initial stage of this conflict, the United Nations Organization proposed a very reasonable solution alias plan, which was referred to as the “two-state concept” (Laqueur & Schueftan, 2016). It means the establishment of a free and independent Palestine and a free and independent Israel (Kemnan, 2010). The plan presented by the United Nations Organization at that time was very important in order to avoid serious wars from time to time. But the problem here is that the plan has not been enforced. Although the United Nations Organization has furnished various recommendations and official declarations on Israel and Palestine when there were wars from time to time, there has been no effective implementation except temporary remedies and proposals about the wars that had arisen from time to time. The ability to enforce it through a permanent solution to prevent this conflict has spread over the decades and is well reflected in the United Nations Charter. However, the United Nations Organization has been criticized by many member States for not working for such a permanent peacekeeping process (Malone, 2004). Accordingly, the research problem is why the United Nations Organization does not make a strong intervention to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine, even though the United Nations Organization is fundamental for international peace and security. The main objective of this research is to study the actions taken by the United Nations Organization in order to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Other objectives include the study of existing obstacles to resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the study of the spread and new trends of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the international context. Neorealism alias Structural Realism of the Realist Theory was utilized in order to analyze the theoretical aspects of this research. Strategically interpreted in terms of the national states gaining power and tracing behind the power supremacy has been interpreted in this theory. According to the structural realists, the most important basis of power is not human nature but based on the nature of the international system to open up the background necessary for states to achieve power (Heidirmnp, 2016). Accordingly, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was analyzed by focusing on the two main parts of the Neorealism Theory, Offensive Realism and Defensive Realism. States wish to extend their economic and political agendas or capabilities to other states or regions. It is the real form of politics that is analyzed by the Realist principle, and the utility of this principle is very important for the analysis of the attitudes of external states and organizations towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Through research, titled “A Historical Analysis of the Mediatory Efforts of United Nations in the Middle East (1947 to C. 2000)” (2022) drafted by Lasisi, Rasheed Adegbemiga in 2022, the role of the United Nations in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian issue has been analyzed from a historical point of view. This study has been conducted on the approaches made by the United Nations as a third-party mediator about Israel and the Palestinian problem from 1956 to 2000, based on the interpretation of traditional wars, has been conducted. This research examines all the efforts made by the United Nations Organization from the beginning of the conflict to 2000 to bring peace, especially in the Middle East. According to this researcher, special concern has been given to the involvement of the United Nations Organization in relation to the plight of Palestinians who have become refugees from wars. Through the role of the United Nations Refugee Agency, the establishments of the United Nations Relief and Welfare Agency and its success and failure have been analyzed. Also, it has been shown through this research that the United Nations Organization established the Conciliation Commission and that they have gained more land than what was given to Israel according to the 1948 United Nations plan for Israel and Palestine (Adegbemiga, 2022).

Through research conducted by Ugwukah and Alexander in 2015 under the title of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Critique and Search for a Permanent Resolution for Peaceful Co-Existence a permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been studied. The escalating military situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2014 and the activities of the Hamas organization provided the basic background for this research. This research contains an analysis of the latest situation of the conflict using the historical context. The researchers have analyzed in this study in a very positive way all the efforts made by the United Nations Organization and all the Western states to end the war situation between these two States and create peace. A finding can be made herein about the lack of dedication of the Middle East States which is required to find a permanent solution for the conflict between these two States. The authors analyze that states such as the United States, Great Britain, Russia, France, and Germany have given their greatest commitment to the peace efforts. It is reported that Egypt’s approach towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not sincere and that it cannot bring lasting peace without the support of other Arab nations surrounding Israel (Alexander, 2015).

Through the research conducted by Danfulani and Others (2021) under the title of Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: A Review of the Past and the Present, through the study of the history and current trends of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the research has provided policy recommendations on moving the two long-time enemies to the path of peace. Here, an information report has been made about the history of this conflict from a historical perspective. A deep analysis of the legal steps taken by the United Nations Organization to resolve this conflict is included in this research. Furthermore, through this research, it has been emphasized that not only the United Nations Organization, the United States of America, and all Arab nations, but also countries such as Russia and Turkey have major roles in achieving a lasting solution to this conflict. Although the United Nations Organization has proposed solutions to create a win-win situation for both parties, but it has analyzed that the demands and requirements of those parties have not been fulfilled so far. Therefore, through this research, a set of proposals has been presented to prevent the long-term Israeli-Palestinian crisis from occurring in a new trend (Danfulani, 2021).

Through the independent study research authored by Jason Worsley in 2020 under the title of A Critical Examination of the Origins, Challenges, and Prospect for Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, an analysis of the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the current challenges as well as prospects for its resolution is carried out. Through this research, the peace aspirations of both States as well as long-term recommendations are made for it. The researcher strongly highlights that land has been a major reason for this conflict. In particular, in the Madrid Conference held in 1991, the international convention to create a Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under Israeli control, the Heads of State of both countries had a direct discussion. The researcher mentioned that the main issues that arose here were what would happen to the Jews in the West Bank, and how will Jerusalem be shared. and how to find solutions to the refugee problem. This research analyzes that these debates have been far-reaching but have not resulted in a solution for peace (Jason Worsley, 2020).

The research paper published by Fadhila Inas Pratiwi and Others in 2022 under the title of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Beyond Resolution: A Critical Assessment examined what has been explored as the results and reasons for the failed attempts at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this research paper, the authors contend that the topics of borders, security, Jerusalem, and refugees hold paramount importance in any endeavor aimed at resolving the conflict. This research hugely analyzes the positions of each party on these four issues and how they are shaped by their negotiation actions. This paper illustrates that not only a resolution but a situation beyond that is needed to solve these problems (Pratiwi, 2022).

Through the research authored by Matthew Leep and Others (2018) under the title of Foreign Cues and Public Views on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides an analysis of foreign perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is possible to illustrate that a focus on foreign public opinion surpasses local public opinion. This study focuses on the impact of the attitudes of the United States, and the impact of the Israeli, Palestinian, and British criticism pertaining to this conflict. The nature of United States-Israeli bilateral relations exposed to foreign criticism, the influence of government officials, and the activities of non-governmental organizations have been carefully considered in this research paper. According to these researchers, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian problem, America as a powerful state looks at foreign issues and as well as provides a commentary on how they decide on foreign policy. Through this research, historical information pertaining to the conflict cannot be seen and the impact of this conflict on individual opinions has been studied. The attitude of the Western parties towards this conflict is very important (Leep, 2018). Regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the aforementioned sources and related literature have often interpreted the interpretations utilizing the historical perspective. However, there is no specific focus on the emergence and resolution of the conflict utilizing a diplomatic and strategic culture. As well as recently, approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been changed. That is, it can indicate that the nature of war has changed beyond the traditional war. The primary focus of this research is on the role of the United Nations Organization in influencing those changes and not.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This research is categorized as qualitative, employing secondary data sources to gather information. Emphasis was placed on international media reports, including books, articles, research publications, and reports issued periodically by the United Nations. Content analysis served as the primary method for data analysis.

RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

On May 14, 1948, with the decolonization by the British, Israel was established as an independent State based on the territories controlled by the Jews. Since this State was not recognized by the Palestinians, the Arab-Israeli war began against it. This war displaced more than 70,000 Palestinians and created a huge refugee crisis, through this war which was known as the Nakba. The number of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and East Jerusalem has exceeded 5 million (UNRWA, n.d.). Israel acquired more land than the United Nations Organization allocated for the two States under the resolutions of the initial stage. Only the Egyptian-controlled part of the Gaza Strip and the Jordanian-controlled West Bank remained for Palestine. Although the partition as recommended by the United Nations Organization was never implemented, the recommendations further alienated the Jews and the Palestinians. As well as the United Nations did not take any enforcement action regarding the territories acquired by Israel.

On June 5, 1967, the Six Day War alias the 1967 Arab-Israeli War began. In this war, the Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian military forces were able to launch attacks against the Israeli military forces, but the Arabs were defeated and the lands belonging to Egypt, Syria, and Jordan were deprived. During this war, the Gaza Strip, Sinai, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, Palestine, and East Jerusalem were acquired by Israeli military forces. Following the escalation of the war, the United Nations Organization called for a cease-fire on June 7, and a few days later the parties to the conflict reached an agreement (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d). Here, under the mediation of the United Nations, the parties to the conflict were able to be sidelined directly.

The Munich Summar Olympics attack in 1972 was followed by the Yom Kippur War in 1973. An Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on a Jewish holy day which is called Yom Kippur. Although the Arab forces were successful at the beginning of this war, later, with the support of the United States of America, Israel defeated the Arab coalition in the face of fierce counterattacks. The United Nations Organization informed both sides to stop the war within 12 hours with immediate effect through American support and then invited for the discussions. The three-line United Nations Security Council Resolution 338, adopted on October 22, 1973, can be described as a joint resolution of the United States of America and the Soviet Union (Washinton Post, 2023). The Cold War can be called a war that indirectly supported both America and Soviet Russia as the West Party and the East Party. Therefore, the United Nations organization supported Israel with a bias towards the United States of America.

Then there was the first intifada of the Palestinian people in 1987 and the second intifada in 2000. Israel was victorious, but both sides suffered heavy casualties. In the years 2008, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian wars spread in a very serious manner, and civilians on both sides suffered heavy losses. Although the United Nations’ intervention was not very effective in these wars, it was able to temporarily bring the conflicting parties to the sidelines. However, the United Nations Organization has failed to find a permanent resolution to this conflict and implement the same on the basis of the agreement of both sides to date. There are many factors influencing this.

Israel’s Relationship with Other Countries

Accordingly, one of the factors is the fact that Israel has the support of the Western countries and the economic relations that Israel maintains with the Western countries. Therefore, the performance of governments supporting and loyal to the two groups of Israeli-Palestinian States is important. Especially in the face of the multilateralism power base, Israel has built very good international relations with the majority of European countries. For example, on December 6, 2017, then United States President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his plan to move the Embassy of the United States to Jerusalem (www.iir.cz/en/kontroverzni). It can also be seen that no State is forcing for a permanent solution to Israel’s actions and an end to the bilateral war, centered on these relations. As well as that Israel is maintaining very good foreign relations not only with European countries but also with other external countries. The best example of this is Israel’s 2023 discussions with Saudi Arabia and building relations. With the exception of a few Middle Eastern countries, Israel can be seen maintaining relations with all other countries. Although Israel can be physically described as a small State in terms of land area, it is a State that has maximum economy, military strength, and technical strength. Israel is a State that grants war aid, and loan aid, to external countries in particular. Israel currently occupies a major position in the trade of goods.  Furthermore, according to published reports, Israel possesses the majority of nuclear weapons, while Palestine does not possess a single nuclear weapon. Accordingly, under this factor, when Israel receives the support of all the States including the West, a strong discourse against Israel cannot be seen (Karpin, 2007). Although Russia, a strong member state of the United Nations Organization, supported the Palestinians including Hamas during the war eras before 1991, it is trying to engage in a neutral policy in the post-Cold War period, which can be explained through certain factors. From that point of view, it is not possible to think that an external strong state will come forward which will be disadvantageous to Israel. Although the United Nations Organization, inspired by the Western States, does not play a major role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the recent crisis that arose on October 7, 2023, the Security Council met suddenly on the same day, but even with the veto power member states of the Security Council were unable to issue a joint statement. Even though the United Nations Organization has mediated after the outbreak of hostilities, even after the war has begun and escalated, it is not possible for them to sideline the parties to the war either temporarily or partially.

The United Nations has a Non- Partisan Approach

Another factor that influenced the failure of the United Nations Organization to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine is that since Israel is a member state of the United Nations Organization, the resolution of the conflict cannot be done through an apolitical approach. Israel became the 59^th member state of the United Nations Organization on May 11, 1949. (Embassies.gov.il). Israel has provided a high level of support to the operations organized by the United Nations Organization in the fields of economy, health and social services, agriculture, education, culture, science, technology, etc. since its membership. Israel is the world’s ninth-largest weapons exporter and ranks 18^th place among the Middle East countries, which are the majority of rich countries. Israel is known as a state where innovative industries are constantly emerging under the most resilient and technologically advanced market economy in the world. When comparing the economic strength of Israel and Palestine, it is clear that Israel is a progressive state in the world system. Palestine is a state comparable to most of the poor states in the world. In particular, Palestine is not yet a member of the United Nations Organization, and the State is only entitled to observer status. Therefore, even though the United Nations Organization has proposed many resolutions to solve the Israeli and Palestinian issues in a non-partisan manner, they have not been implemented. Otherwise, even if impartiality is tried to be shown towards the other member states, the United Nations is not able to act with impartiality.

It is very clear when look at the ability of the United Nations Organizations to resolve this problem according to the powers vested with this organization. The United Nations Organization has full responsibility for maintaining international security and peace in accordance with its objectives and policies in terms of the powers vested with this organization. It also has the ability to make recommendations to the member States to prevent any dispute or event that may lead to an international conflict. United Nations organization powers can be used to take military action against the aggressor States. The charter itself grants the authority to carry out certain things such as drafting plans for the establishment of a weapon control system. The United Nations Organization is the only global organization vested with full authority to request member states to adopt economic sanctions and other measures to prevent an invasion. Whether these steps have been taken in the context of Israel and Palestine is problematic. The United Nations Organization has only done so by sidelining the parties to the conflict through temporary resolutions brought over a long period of time. That is, the role of the United Nations Organization in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict not being influential is significant here. It is clear here that since Israel is a member state of the United Nations Organization, it cannot be done with an apolitical approach to resolving the conflict.

Failure of Both Countries to Come to An Agreement to Resolve the Issue

The third factor influencing the failure of the United Nations organization to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine is that the solutions brought to resolve the conflict are not of a practical level that is unacceptable to both countries. There are a number of issues that Israel and Palestine cannot agree on. Those are the Palestinian refugee problem, the problem of the Jewish settlements located within the West Bank, the problem of the ownership of Jerusalem, and the problem of whether the Palestinian State should be built next to Israel. The crisis remains the same even though powerful states, the United Nations Organization, and non-governmental organizations have been holding discussions for a long time to find resolutions to these problems. Most recently, a peace plan was prepared by the United States of America. That is during the time of former President Donald Trump. It was popular all over the world as “The deal of the century”.  The plan consisted of 181 pages and suggested a number of issues in 22 sections addressing the legitimate aspirations of both parties. It proposed compromise resolutions to many economic issues, including the two-state solution, the status of Jerusalem, sovereignty, security, state borders, refugees, detainees, the Gaza Strip, and commercial exchanges. However, the plan could not be implemented because it was rejected and criticized by the Palestinians, stating that it would be unilateral. A very important agreement in the arrangements of finding resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian problem is the Oslo Accords. This is the first time that Israel and Palestine have met directly for peace discussions. Palestine, Israel, as well as Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, as well as Spain, participated in this discussion as the host country.  At the beginning of this conference, it was declared that solutions acceptable to both states had been found, but it can be indicated that the host state was in an attitude of ignoring Palestine from the beginning of the negotiation discussions. The same method was followed by the United States of America and Israel. Despite Palestine’s agreement to accept the proposed 1967 territorial boundaries, Israel has compiled such reports that if the discussions at the conference fail, it will be imposed on Palestine while influencing the failure of the discussions. Israel’s conduct indicated the nature that it was not conducive to the success of any peace process. A strong example of this is that even during the peace talks, Israel continues to build buildings in the West Bank. Israel continued to drive out the Palestinians living in Jerusalem. Due to all these circumstances, the said accord was not executed. None of the suggestions proposed were not properly implemented due to the restless aspirations of the conflicting parties.

CONCLUSION

In the face of the current balance of power in the world, the opportunity for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has not been opened. At the very beginning of this Israeli-Palestinian issue, the United Nations Organization proposed a very fair solution, a plan referred to as the “two-state concept”. That is the basis of creating a free and independent Palestine and a free and independent Israel. The plans put forward by the United Nations Organization at that time were very important to prevent serious wars from occurring from time to time. But the problem here is that the said plan has failed to be implemented to date. That is, there is no ability to enforce the said plan. It can be concluded that it has been influenced by the influence of countries like the United States of America. In view of the current balance of power in the world, the political objectives of powerful states have become fundamental to consolidate and maintain power supremacy, so it has been disadvantageous for small states that have no power. In the event that Israel receives membership in the United Nations Organization and Palestine does not receive the membership, it is clear that the United Nations Organization is also biased towards the activities of the powerful states. That is, the world organization established for peace is working in a biased manner. The United Nations Organization sends a message to the whole world that the Palestinian state will not be accepted in the world system. The powerful centralized states and the United Nations Organization are directly responsible for such dangerous wars that occurred between Israel and Palestine from time to time. It is normal for them to foster such conflicts in the world for their own political goals and agendas.

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