How significant has the peacekeeping and diplomacy of the United Nations been in attempts to resolve the Arab–Israeli conflict?
Level
O LEVEL
Year Examined
2021
Topic
ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS SINCE 1945
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How significant has the peacekeeping and diplomacy of the United Nations been in attempts to resolve the Arab–Israeli conflict?
The United Nations and the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Force for Peace or a Sidelined Player?
The Arab-Israeli conflict, a defining geopolitical struggle of the 20th and 21st centuries, has witnessed numerous attempts at resolution. While some argue that the United Nations (UN) played a crucial role in peacekeeping and diplomacy, others believe its impact has been limited. This essay will examine both sides of the argument, ultimately concluding that while the UN's early involvement was significant, its influence waned over time as other actors took centre stage.
Early UN Involvement: A Beacon of Hope?
In the conflict's early stages, the UN undoubtedly played a critical role. Following the 1948-49 Arab-Israeli War, the UN supervised the armistice agreements, establishing buffer zones and deploying observers to monitor ceasefires. This first phase of UN involvement provided a crucial foundation for future peace efforts.
Furthermore, during the second phase (1956-1982), the UN served as a vital intermediary during various crises. The Suez Crisis of 1956 saw the UN pressure France and Britain to withdraw their forces from Egypt. Similarly, in the aftermath of the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), the UN deployed peacekeeping forces (UNEF) to maintain stability in volatile regions. These interventions, while imperfect, prevented further escalation and demonstrated the UN's ability to act as a neutral arbiter.
Beyond peacekeeping, the UN also engaged in diplomatic efforts. UN Resolution 242 (1967), calling for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories, became a cornerstone of future negotiations. The establishment of UNIFIL in 1973 to oversee Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and Yasser Arafat's historic address to the UN General Assembly in 1974 further highlight the organization's role in fostering dialogue.
The Waning Influence of the UN
Despite these early successes, the UN's influence gradually declined. The end of the Cold War and the emergence of the United States as the sole superpower shifted the dynamics of the conflict. The US, often perceived as biased towards Israel, increasingly pursued unilateral approaches, sidelining the UN in the process.
Moreover, the rise of non-state actors like the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) under Yasser Arafat further complicated the UN's role. Direct negotiations between Israel and the PLO, culminating in the Oslo Accords (1993) and the efforts of US presidents like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, proved more effective in advancing peace than UN resolutions.
The failure of the Camp David Summit in 2000 and the subsequent Second Intifada further highlighted the limitations of the UN. The organization seemed unable to effectively address the escalating violence and break the deadlock in negotiations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the UN played a significant role in the Arab-Israeli conflict's early years, its influence waned over time. Its early peacekeeping efforts and diplomatic initiatives helped prevent the conflict from escalating further and provided a framework for future negotiations. However, the changing geopolitical landscape, the rise of non-state actors, and the US's growing influence diminished the UN's effectiveness. Ultimately, while the UN remains a symbolic actor in the ongoing search for peace, its ability to effect lasting change has been limited.
Sources:
- "Israelis and Palestinians Since 1945," History Essay
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YES The United Nations has played a significant role in attempts to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. YES During the 1948–49 war, it supervised an armistice between Israel and Arab states, creating buffer zones between them. YES From 1956–82, in each conflict (1956, 67, 73, and 1982), superpowers relied on the UN to act as peacekeeping, as when it ordered French and British forces to leave Egypt in 1956. YES The UNEF (United Nations Emergency Force) was used to police hotspots. YES UN Resolutions have also played a role, such as UN Resolution 242, which called for the removal of Israeli forces from occupied territories. YES In 1973, the peace-keeping UNIFIL was created and later oversaw Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. YES Arafat's UN speech and General Assembly Resolution 3379 (equating Zionism with racism) also had an impact.
NO However, the UN's role decreased after the Cold War. NO The USA sidelined the UN with its unilateral involvement, as did other figures like PLO's Arafat, President Carter, President Clinton, Sadat, Begin, and Prime Minister Rabin. NO The Oslo Agreements and other efforts were more significant than UN actions during this period.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How significant has the peacekeeping and diplomacy of the United Nations been in attempts to resolve the Arab–Israeli conflict? Explain your answer.
YES
The United Nations has played a significant role in attempts to resolve the Arab–Israeli conflict. During the first phase of the conflict, from 1948 to 1949, the UN supervised the armistice between Israel and the Arab states. This included creating buffer zones between each state. In the second phase, from 1956 to 1982, the superpowers relied on the UN to act as a peacekeeper in each conflict (1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982). For example, the UN ordered French and British forces to leave Egypt in 1956. The United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was used to police hotspots. The UN passed Resolution 242, calling for the removal of Israeli forces from occupied territories. In 1973, the peace-keeping force UNIFIL was created, which later oversaw Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Other notable instances include Arafat's UN speech, and General Assembly Resolution 3379, which equated Zionism with racism.
NO
The UN's role in the Arab–Israeli conflict has decreased since the Cold War. The United States has often sidelined the UN and pursued a unilateral approach to the conflict. Other actors, such as the PLO and Yasser Arafat in the 1980s, Presidents Carter and Clinton, and the Camp David Accords between Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin, have played more significant roles. The Oslo Accords and the efforts of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin are also notable instances.