A History of UN Involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The UN’s relationship with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to 1947 with Resolution 181, the Partition Plan for Palestine. This resolution, while intended to create separate Jewish and Arab states, laid the groundwork for decades of dispute and ultimately failed to achieve its intended outcome. As Cobban details in her recent essays on “A Jewish State in Palestine: The UN’s Original Sin?” and “Gaza, and the UN at 80,” the UN’s initial involvement contained inherent contradictions that continue to resonate today.

Guterres and the Trump Plan: A Delicate Balance?

On September 30th, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres publicly welcomed the announcement of a 20-point plan from the previous administration, stating it was “intended to achieve a ceasefire and sustainable peace for Gaza and for the region.” However, this expression of support has drawn criticism, with some arguing it lends legitimacy to a plan perceived as heavily biased. Ian Williams, author of UNtold: The Real Story of the United Nations in Peace and War, believes Guterres’s approach is fundamentally flawed.

“An Israeli Exception” and Eroding Legitimacy

Williams, in his conversation with Cobban, characterized Guterres as “non-confrontational,” suggesting his cautious stance towards Israel and the Trump plan actively undermines the UN’s authority. He pointed to what he termed an “Israeli exception,” where violations of international law are often overlooked, leading to a gradual erosion of the UN’s legitimacy. “There is an ‘Israeli exception’ that lets violations of international law go unchecked; the UN’s legitimacy is eroding and members must stop being polite and start enforcing the resolutions,” Williams stated. He contrasted this with the leadership of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who he believes would have forcefully challenged such perceived double standards.

The continued expansion of Israeli settlements, despite UN resolutions 242 and 338 establishing the 1967 borders as the basis for a two-state solution, further complicates the situation. Williams described the two-state solution as “the two-state straw,” implying it’s a dwindling hope grasped at by diplomats despite increasingly insurmountable obstacles. Do you believe a two-state solution remains a viable path to peace, or is a fundamentally different approach required?

The Potential for a More Assertive UN Role

Despite the criticisms, Williams suggested the UN could play a more assertive role in Gaza, drawing a parallel to its involvement in post-invasion Iraq in 2003. While acknowledging the illegality of the invasion, the UN worked to mitigate its effects on the Iraqi population. He argued a similar approach in Gaza – involving the return of UNRWA and other agencies – could be effective, but only if the UN adopts a firmer stance. “You could almost conceive of a role in Gaza with the UN bringing UNRWA back and the other agencies. But they would have to be much firmer and say, No, we’re not going to do it on your terms,” Williams explained. What conditions would need to be met for the UN to effectively intervene in Gaza and ensure the protection of civilians?

The conversation between Cobban and Williams, available in video and transcript form, offers a critical assessment of the UN’s current predicament and potential pathways forward. The future of the organization’s relevance in addressing global conflicts may depend on its willingness to challenge powerful actors and uphold the principles of international law.

Frequently Asked Questions About the UN and Gaza

• What is the UN’s historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

  The UN’s involvement began with the 1947 Partition Plan, aiming to create separate Jewish and Arab states. However, this plan failed to achieve lasting peace and has been a source of ongoing dispute.

• What criticisms has Antonio Guterres faced regarding his response to the Gaza crisis?

  Guterres has been criticized for his perceived cautious approach and welcoming of a plan from the previous U.S. administration, which some view as biased and undermining the UN’s authority.

• What is the “Israeli exception” as described by Ian Williams?

  The “Israeli exception” refers to the perceived tendency to overlook violations of international law committed by Israel, leading to a double standard in the application of UN resolutions.

• What are UN Resolutions 242 and 338, and why are they significant?

  These resolutions enshrine the 1967 borders as the legal basis for a peace settlement, but their implementation has been hampered by continued Israeli settlement expansion.

• Could the UN’s involvement in post-invasion Iraq serve as a precedent for intervention in Gaza?

  Ian Williams suggests it could, arguing the UN could work to mitigate the effects of the crisis in Gaza, even without approving of the underlying circumstances, but only with a firmer, more assertive approach.