UNITED NATIONS

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AIC Country Profile: The United Nations

‘Sometimes it may be necessary to use force to deal with threats to the peace -- and the charter makes provision for that. But war must always be a last resort. It should be used only when every reasonable alternative has been tried -- in the present case, only if we are sure that every peaceful means of achieving Iraq's disarmament has been exhausted. The United Nations, founded to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," has a duty to search for a peaceful solution until the last possible moment.’ (Kofi Annan, 2003)

‘Nor is war the only scourge that the world has to face. Whether they are protecting themselves against terrorism or struggling against the grim triad of poverty, ignorance and disease, nations need to work together, and they can do so through the United Nations.’ (Kofi Annan)

Strategy for Handling the Conflict

Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has set out a strategy for handling the conflict in the Middle East. The strategy has three core issues: restoring security from terror and violence for both Israelis and Palestinians, addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and promoting serious and accelerated negotiations towards a settlement. A Quartet of nations including the United States, European Union, the Russian Federation and the United Nations has formed to work collectively to help settle these issues, working with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to help restore hope of a settlement in the region.

History of the United Nations and the Conflict

The involvement of the United Nations has been crucial in the peace process as the organization helps to provide legitimacy to negotiations and assistance to both sides during the process. The United Nations has dealt with the Arab-Israeli Conflict since 1947. It was during this year when the General Assembly adopted Resolution 181. This resolution provided for the establishment of an Arab State and a Jewish State in the area of Palestine, with special status given to Jerusalem. After the 1967 war, Israel occupied the remaining territory of Palestine, the West Bank and Gaza Strip regions which had been under Jordanian and Egyptian control. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 242 on November 22, 1967 calling for Israel to withdraw from territories it had occupied during the 1967 war.

1970s In 1973, an International Peace Conference was held chaired by Russia and the United States. At this peace conference Egypt, Israel and Jordan were involved. Results of the peace conference included the disengagement of forces between Israel and Syrian in May 1974. The disengagement was carried out with assistance from two United Nations peacekeeping forces. In 1975, the General Assembly of the United Nations established the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. This group gave the PLO observer status on all international conferences and all matters in relation to the United Nations.

1980s During the 1980’s there were several events that shaped the conflict. In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon, with the intention of eliminating the PLO. In September 1983, the International Conference on the Question of Palestine was held in which the following principles were decided on: the need to oppose and reject the establishment of settlements in the occupied territory and actions taken by Israel to change the status of Jerusalem, the right of all States in the region to existence within secure and internationally recognized boundaries, with justice and security for all the people, and the attainment of the legitimate, inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. In December 1987, there was a mass uprising of Palestinians, known as the Intifadah, against Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories. Later in the following year, the General Assembly of the U.N. met to hear a statement by Yassir Arafat about his unprecedented support for the proposed peace conference. The Assembly then called for an International Peace Conference in which the PLO would be included in the negotiations along with Security Council nations.

1990s On October 30, 1991, a peace conference was held in Madrid Spain with the hope of achieving a lasting peace settlement through direct negotiations. The conference allowed for Israel’s requirement for one-on-one negotiations while discussing the peace process first occurred at this meeting. The thought was that peace would be achieved between Israel and Arab States as well as Israeli and Palestinian people. The Oslo Accords, as they have be later called, brought renewed negotiation talks and hopes for peace. The result was the eventual recognition of the State of Israel and the PLO in which the two parties signed the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements on September 13, 1993. This Declaration also led to the partial withdraws of Israeli forces, election to the Palestinian Council and the release of some prisoners. After a series of positive developments in the region, it became necessary to advance the socioeconomic needs of the Palestinian people. On October 1, 1993, over 40 nations participated in the Conference to Support Middle East Peace in Washington, D.C. In order to provide aid, the United Nations transitioned most of the responsibility of the socioeconomic development to the United Nations Special Coordinator (UNSCO). The responsibility of UNSCO was to provide overall guidance and facilitate coordination of UN programs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Additionally, this group would represent the United Nations at donor meetings and coordinate donor assistance while providing support for the implementation of the Declaration of Principles as well. In 1999, the General Assembly of the United Nations urged for a Fourth Geneva Convention in order to discuss measures to protect Palestinian civilians internationally. The conference, although it lasted for only one day adjourned under the notion that the group would met again when they received additional information about the humanitarian situation.

2000- In 2000, alarmed by the escalation of protests and violence in the Palestinian territory adopted Resolution 1322. The resolution condemned excessive use of force against Palestinians. It also urged Israel to follow the conclusions set forth from the Fourth Geneva Conference and immediately begin peace talks again. On December 1, 2000, the General Assembly adopted an additional resolution that expressed hope that the peace process would lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East. The resolution also stressed the principle of land for peace as well. In March 2001, the Security Council met and suggested that a United Nations observer presence be placed in the occupied Palestinian territory in order to provide protection for Palestinian civilians.

Socio-Economic Developments in the Region by the United Nations

Since 1994, the United Nations has become instrumental in helping the social and economic development of the occupied Palestinian territories. With the help of various United Nations agencies, the UN has been able to establish and create improvements in the areas of health, education, environment and the economy.

Infrastructure The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and World Health Organization (WHO) have all been responsible for helping to implement drainage systems to improve and clean the water supply. The UNDP has also worked to complete the rebuilding of over 70 health care centers, is working to design a new courthouse and a south wing of the Gaza International Airport. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is implementing technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority for the establishment of a maritime administration.

Education The UNRWA has been the largest contributor by the United Nations to the education sector. They opened an educational services training facility which has led to a university degree for over 600 individuals. UNDP has supported ‘Palestinian school-net project’ which hopes to connect thousands of students to educational resources on the Internet.

Health In 2000, in conjunction with the European Union, UNRWA opened the European Gaza Hospital. UNICEF has also worked to provide teachers and parents with information about health and nutrition. The World Food Program (WFP) helps with the alleviation of poverty and social relief interventions. Also in 2000, the UNDP initiated the Palestinian Participatory Poverty Assessment which provided methodological measures necessary to measure and effectively implement the poverty assistance programs.