How significant was the United Nations in the Arab–Israeli conflicts to 1973? Explain your answer.
Level
IGCSE
Year Examined
2023
Topic
ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS SINCE 1945
👑Complete Model Essay
How significant was the United Nations in the Arab–Israeli conflicts to 1973? Explain your answer.
The Significance of the United Nations in the Arab-Israeli Conflicts to 1973
The Arab-Israeli conflict, marked by decades of tension and warfare, saw the United Nations (UN) play a complex and multifaceted role. While the UN undoubtedly contributed to mitigating the conflict at times, its overall significance remains debatable, particularly when considering the broader geopolitical context of the Cold War and the actions of key actors like the superpowers and regional players.
The UN's Role in Peacekeeping and Mediation
From the outset, the UN attempted to establish peace in the region. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the UN oversaw the armistice agreements in 1949, establishing a demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria. This demonstrated the UN's early commitment to mediating between the warring parties.
The 1956 Suez Crisis witnessed a more proactive UN role. The organization deployed the first-ever UN peacekeeping force (UNEF), demanding the withdrawal of British, French, and Israeli forces from Egypt. This intervention proved crucial in preventing the conflict from escalating into a larger war.
Subsequently, the UN attempted to mediate the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War. While its efforts to achieve a lasting peace settlement were unsuccessful, the UN Security Council Resolution 242, advocating for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem, became a cornerstone of future negotiations.
The UN's involvement continued during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It facilitated a ceasefire between Israel, Egypt, and Syria, demonstrating its ability to act as a mediator even during intense conflict.
Limitations and External Influences
Despite its efforts, the UN faced significant limitations in its ability to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. The organization often found itself caught in the crossfire of Cold War politics. Both the United States and the Soviet Union used the UN as a platform to advance their own agendas in the region, frequently hindering impartial decision-making.
Furthermore, the UN's effectiveness was hampered by the actions of major powers outside its framework. The 1956 Suez Crisis, for instance, highlighted the role of British and French interests, while the United States' support for Israel throughout the period significantly shaped the conflict's dynamics.
Moreover, factors beyond the UN's control played a significant role in fueling the conflict. The rise of Arab nationalism under leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, coupled with Jewish expansionism and the displacement of Palestinians, created tensions that the UN struggled to address. The creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964 further complicated the situation, adding another layer to the conflict's complexities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the UN undoubtedly played a part in shaping the course of the Arab-Israeli conflict to 1973, its significance should not be overstated. The UN achieved some success in mediating ceasefires and deploying peacekeeping forces. However, its limitations were evident in its inability to achieve a lasting peace settlement and its susceptibility to Cold War power politics. Ultimately, the Arab-Israeli conflict was fueled by deep-seated historical grievances, ideological clashes, and the interests of regional and global powers, factors that extended far beyond the scope of the UN's influence.
**Sources:**
P. Mansfield, *A History of the Middle East*.
I. Black and B. Morris, *Israel's Secret Wars: A History of Israel's Intelligence Services*.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
Essay Outline: How Significant Was the United Nations in the Arab-Israeli Conflicts to 1973?
I. Introduction
The United Nations played a complex and multifaceted role in the Arab-Israeli conflicts up to 1973, exhibiting both successes and limitations in its efforts.
II. Arguments for the Significance of the UN
⭐The UN played a crucial role in mediating ceasefires and armistice agreements.
⭐For example, the UN oversaw the 1949 armistice between Israel and its Arab neighbors, establishing a framework for temporary peace.
⭐ Furthermore, the UN intervened in 1956, demanding the withdrawal of British and French forces from the Suez Canal zone, demonstrating its ability to constrain major powers.
⭐The UN's peacekeeping efforts continued with the deployment of UNEF in 1957, highlighting its commitment to maintaining stability in the region.
⭐The UN served as a platform for international diplomacy and the pursuit of long-term solutions.
⭐Following the 1967 war, the UN attempted to broker a lasting peace agreement through Resolution 242, addressing issues like territorial withdrawal and the refugee crisis.
⭐The UN's condemnation of Israel's pre-emptive strike in 1967 showcased its commitment to international law and peaceful conflict resolution.
⭐The UN's involvement proved crucial in ending the 1973 war through a ceasefire agreement, demonstrating its ability to facilitate communication and de-escalation between warring parties.
III. Arguments Against the Significance of the UN
⭐The UN's effectiveness was often hindered by Cold War politics, with superpowers using the organization to advance their own interests.
⭐The Arab-Israeli conflict became entangled in the broader East-West struggle, limiting the UN's ability to act impartially.
⭐The UN often struggled to enforce its resolutions, highlighting its limitations in compelling compliance from powerful actors.
⭐For example, Israel's continued occupation of territories captured in 1967 despite Resolution 242 demonstrated the limitations of UN resolutions without a strong enforcement mechanism.
IV. Alternative Factors Influencing the Conflicts
⭐The Cold War context significantly shaped alliances and fueled regional tensions, with the US supporting Israel and the Soviet Union backing Arab states.
⭐The global demand for Arab oil granted Arab states leverage and complicated international responses to the conflict.
⭐The role of European powers, particularly Britain and France, in supplying arms to both sides further fueled the conflict and undermined UN peace efforts.
⭐The rise of Arab nationalism, spearheaded by leaders like Nasser and Sadat, and the Zionist aspiration for a Jewish homeland were powerful ideological forces shaping the conflict's trajectory.
V. Conclusion
While the UN undeniably played a role in mediating ceasefires and attempting to find peaceful solutions, its effectiveness was ultimately limited by Cold War politics, the complexities of the conflict itself, and the influence of powerful actors. The Arab-Israeli conflicts were ultimately driven by a multitude of factors, with the UN representing just one piece of a complex puzzle.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How significant was the United Nations in the Arab–Israeli conflicts to 1973? Explain your answer.
Yes
The UN oversaw the armistice in 1949 between Israel and her enemies; created a demilitarized zone between Syria and Israel; in 1956, the UN acted as a peacekeeper and ordered British and French forces to leave the area around the Suez Canal; the United Nations Emergency Force was used by the USA in 1957 to act as a peacekeeping force in Sinai; the UN attempted to bring a resolution to the 1967 conflict and explore ways a lasting peace could be achieved in the region; the UN declared the pre-emptive strike against Egypt and Syria as illegal in 1967; a UN ceasefire between Israel, Egypt and Syria was accepted; UN Security Council Resolution 242 pushed for a withdrawal of Israeli forces in occupied territories and guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the seas; it also attempted to tackle the refugee issue which increased in severity after the Six-Day War; the UN was used by the USA and USSR to help bring a ceasefire to the 1973 war and end the fighting, etc.
No
The UN was not always successful in developing Arab-Israeli relations and often used as a pawn by the superpowers, especially during the politics of the Cold War era; more significant – the Cold War context to the alliances in the Middle East; the role of the superpowers; access to Arab oil; the role of Britain and France in the 1956 war and later supplied aircraft and tanks to Israel; the creation of the PLO in 1964 to unite Arab resistance movements; the role of Nasser and Sadat; Arab nationalism and Jewish expansionism, etc.