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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND

DECOLONIZATION
COMMITTEE

ISRAELI PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Table of Contents
 Introduction 3
 History of the Committee 3
 Statement of the Problem 3-5
 History of the Problem 5-12
 Current Situation 12-23
 Relevant UN Actions 23-25
 Questions a Resolution must Answer 25-27
 Bloc Positions 27

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
General Assembly 1
Gloriana Sojo Dear Delegates,

Co-Secretary General Welcome to the Special, Political, and Decolonization Committee of Lincoln
Model United Nations! My name is Ernesto Núñez Chacón and I am a senior
student at Lincoln School. Currently I am finishing the International
Baccalaureate program and planning to study law and communication at the UCR
in a near future. I was born in Costa Rica and have lived my entire life in
Alajuela, the best place ever. However, about six months ago I moved to San
Antonio de Belén, a fine place. As for my tastes and preferences, I like literature,
theatre, videogames, a little of every type of music, and of course to debate, or
fight, which according to my friends is what I do instead.
Daniela Viteri
My first participation in a Model United Nations was back in 2007 and since then
I have been to more or less every single conference of this sort in Costa Rica. I
Co-Secretary General also participated in Harvard Model United Nations in 2008 which cemented my
passion for diplomacy and my desire to do something positive for the global
community we live in. This conference marks my eight participation in a Model
United Nations and I am beyond honored to be the director of a committee with
such a remarkable trajectory and such a sensitive topic to tackle: the Israeli
Palestinian conflict.

In order to prepare yourself for this debate I strongly encourage you to begin by
reading this study guide from start to end and then proceed with the research for
the specific position of your assigned country. Furthermore, I ask you to become
knowledgeable in current events pertinent to the topic due to the fact that the
Jeanie Ayub Israeli Palestinian Conflict is constantly taking new directions and it is essential
for this debate that you know on which areas to focus your resolution. Remember
Advisor that the better prepared you are, the more enjoyable it will be.

I look forward to meeting all of you in April. DO NOT hesitate to send me an


email if you need any help. This will be a heated debate and I am more than
willing to assist you in any reachable way to assure the level of preparation this
topic requires. You can contact me via email: blackgandalf27@hotmail.com.

Lastly, I would like to clarify this study guide is not my work. Harvard University
is responsible for it.

Jane Hutchcruft TAKE CARE AND BE READY!

Sincerely,
Advisor
Ernesto Núñez Chacón
Director of the Special, Political and Decolonization Committee
Lincoln Model United Nations 2010

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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
variety of issues – including matters of
INTRODUCTION decolonization – that are not covered by
DISEC but were quite prevalent at the time of
The issues that the Special, Political, and
Decolonization committee discusses are its founding. Therefore, the Fourth Committee
always of considerable global importance. was instituted as an informal committee to
This year, the committee will be discussing discuss and resolve problems concerning
topics that have affected the lives of either decolonization or self-determination.
thousands. These topics have a significant However, the committee became
impact on international security today, and as permanent in 1978, and despite the dwindling
witnessed throughout history, not dealing with number of colonies in the world today, the
the issues effectively will not only result in issues discussed by SPECPOL are very
their continuation, but also in their significant due to the fact that the sovereignty
exacerbation. of various nations is still somewhat
In the world today, instability in one controversial in the present day. Throughout
specific region cannot be considered an history, SPECPOL has played a crucial role in
isolated threat, as it can swiftly expand and dealing with refugees and other humanitarian
imperil any other region in the world. The crises. Ideal solutions to such conflicts and
nature of these issues can easily change, and crises must recognize the sovereignty of a
thus new dialogue and debate must be held particular state, in addition to its cultural
regularly to address these pressing matters. beliefs and ideological viewpoints.
Certain resolutions, treaties, and laws may be In recent years, SPECPOL delegates have
outdated and must be modified in order to discussed civil disputes in former Yugoslavia,
agree with current affairs. It is also very the rights of the Kurdish people in Iraq and
important that the committee take into Turkey, the fate of the Palestinian refugees,
consideration the root and history of each the peaceful use of outer space, the long term
problem, as experience gained in the past will effects of atomic radiation, and modern
serve as valuable lessons for future solution.
colonialism, as in the Western Sahara, Cyprus,
or Afghanistan.
HISTORY OF
THE THE ISREALI
COMMITTEE PALESTINIAN
When the United Nations was founded in CONFLICT
1945, it involved a system of committees that
were established to deal with the diverse issues
before the General Assembly. The first
committee of the General Assembly was the
STATEMENT OF
Disarmament and International Security
committee (DISEC), and it was established to
THE PROBLEM
deal with disarmament and related
international security questions. The Special, The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is
Political, and Decolonization committee perhaps one of the most sensitive global issues
(SPECPOL), which is the fourth committee in to afflict the second half of the 20th century. It
the General Assembly, deals with a wide takes the form of an ongoing dispute between
Israelis and Palestinians, as well as other
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
Arabs in the region. The current conflict stems transfer of political power from the Ottoman
from larger issues and tensions that can be Empire to the British mandate, the conflict
easily traced back to the end of the 19th began to develop. Violence was prompted by
century, during the rule of the Ottoman and an increase in Jewish immigration to Palestine
British empires and the time of the Zionist as well as Arab nationalism in the region. In
pioneers. Beginning with the disintegration of 1948, the establishment of the state of Israel
the Ottoman Empire and ensuing political sparked the Arab-Israeli War, which
arguments about territorial rights, the conflict concluded with the 1949 Armistice
has continued throughout the century. It has Agreements. These agreements, however, only
gained global attention as a result of the marked the beginning of a series of wars and
staggering level of violence involved, as brutal failed attempts at negotiation. The 1967 war
fighting has been carried out by armies, militia between Israel and the states of Egypt, Jordan,
groups, and terrorist cells on both sides. The and Syria resulted in a rise in aggression
confounding number of casualties has not been between the two sides as well as an increased
limited to the militaries, as civilian populations number of Palestinian refugees as Israel took
on both sides have also been victim to the possession of the West Bank, Gaza Strip,
harsh, and seemingly endless, violence. Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula, territories
that were once controlled by Jordan, Egypt and
Syria. Many other wars and innumerable
casualties mark this region’s bitter history,
including the recent Gaza blockade, and
attempts at negotiating for peace have failed
thus far.
There are a number of key issues that
hinder peace between Israel and Palestine.
These involve matters of security and
economy, the topic of refugees, and the status
of Jerusalem and areas of the West Bank.
Before agreeing on any form of military
withdrawal, both Palestine and Israel demand
guaranteed security, as history only shows
violent tendencies from both sides. The majority
of Palestinians are stateless, and most of them
live in refugee camps in the region. They live off
of aid from other countries and have very limited
access to water. Essentially, the right of these
stateless individuals to return to
Israeli/Palestinian lands is a main subject of
debate. Meanwhile, the status of Jerusalem is
contended not only because of politics, but also
because of matters of faith.
There has been much international
Above is a portrait of Balfour and a draft of the involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
declaration. The document would have immense The quartet of powers, which consists of the
ramifications for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian
United Nations, European Union, United States,
situation
and Russia, proposed the Road Map for Peace
and attempted to mediate its implementation.
After the Balfour Declaration of 1917,
The process, however, fell short due to
which expressed British support for the continued fighting and retaliations from both
creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, and the
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
sides, as well as the continuation of negotiations borders dictated by the proposal, and instead
by the US outside of the quartet process. ―sought the arbitration of force.‖134
Countries in the Middle East and North Following through with the resolution and
Africa do not have a single, unified position on ignoring many protests from the Arabs, the
the issue, with varying countries taking different United Nations established the official
stances toward the PLO, Hamas, and Fatah. A partition for September 1948. On May 14,
number of countries in the region are working 1948, however, the British government
toward better relations with Israel and more decided to withdraw from Palestine and leave
moderate stances on the conflict, while others the Jews and Arabs to resolve their own
have relatively fixed positions.
dispute over the Holy Land. The British did
not want to continue losing assets due to the
HISTORY OF behavior of the three Jewish terrorist groups
that were dominating the region at that time—
Haganah, Irgun, and Lef. The Jewish settlers
THE PROBLEM took advantage of the absence of the British
government to establish the state of Israel as
The Conflict on the Frontier an independent country, without negotiating or
When the issue of the conflict in conducting dialogue with the Palestinians.
Israel/Palestine is brought to mind, it is crucial With the establishment of their country, the
to note the region’s geography. This holy Jewish settlers continued acting unilaterally
region, as so recognized by the three and expanded their borders past the original
monotheistic beliefs, was given the name of ones outlined in the resolution passed by the
Palestine in the second century CE. It was in UN.135
fact the Romans who named the region, which
stretched from the Mediterranean Sea coasts to The Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49
the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and the With the formation of the country of Israel,
Dead Sea, and from the lower parts of Mount the Israeli army soon took form. The army
Hermon to the Desert of Negev region.132 consisted of volunteers from the Haganah and
Geographically today, this region lies in Irgun terrorist groups, as well as the expert
six political jurisdictions. These regions fighters from the Jewish Brigade that had
consist of Israel in its entirety, the Israeli ruled previously volunteered to help the British in
section of the Occupied Territories, the areas World War II. As the Israeli army mobilized
ruled by the Palestinian Authority, the coastal for an invasion of Palestine, it was the Arab
regions along the southern border of Lebanon, forces, an amalgamation of neighboring
the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, areas of Jordan, countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon,
and parts of Syria.133 and Transjordan, that tried to stop the Israeli
army, and to force their forces back into the
The November 1947 UN Resolution for
Mediterranean Sea. The Israeli army continued
Partition
their invasion with the original intent of taking
The United Nations decided in November
1947 to pass a resolution to divide the region control of Palestine, and as the year of 1948
came to an end, the army stood at 100,000. It
of Palestine into two states, one for the Jews
was well-armed and possessed military control
and one for the Arabs. This resolution did not
provide for what the Jewish leaders saw as the over Palestine.136
The UN intervened and attempted to
Promised Land because Judaea, Samaria, the
institute a peace agreement on January 12,
West Bank, and Jerusalem as a whole were not
included, but the leaders at the time acquiesced 1949. These peace talks took place in Rhodes,
and Israel signed a treaty with all but one of
to the borders of the resolution. The Arabs,
the Arab nations that had risen up against their
however, did not want to comply with the
forces. Iraq was the only one of the five
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
countries that refused to attend armistice talks approximately 1,300 Israelis were killed
with Israel, and because of this, the war during the raids carried out by the Arabs, and
against Israel raged on for the other Arab violence increased as Israeli counterattacks
neighbors as well. At that time, Israel had turned brutal. A change in political leadership
taken over four-fifths of the region, with also augmented the strife. The sole moderate
establishments controlling the Galilean and Arab leader, King Abdullah of Jordan, was
Judaean regions (northern and southern areas assassinated by Arab activists on July 20,
of the hill country), some of the Mediterranean 1951. In Egypt, meanwhile, the populist
coast south of Lebanon (not including the dictatorship of Gamul Abdul Nasser rose to
Gaza Strip), and west Jerusalem. Within its power as a result of the military junta putting
borders, Israel had hegemony over ―the Negev an end to the Egyptian monarchy on July 23,
desert, from the southern part of the Dead Sea 1952, paving the road for more hostility to
westward to the Sinai Peninsula and southward come between the Arab nations and Israel.139
to the Gulf of Aqaba.‖137 Thus, at this point
The Suez Canal War (1956)
in the war, Jordan controlled Samaria, northern
Since the war began in 1948, Egypt had
Judaea (later known as the West Bank), nearly
continued to deny Israel access through the
all of the Jordan Valley, and the core of the
Suez Canal. Even after the United Nations
Holy Land—the Old City of Jerusalem. The
Security Council demanded a change, Egypt
Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula were ruled
did not shift its position. With a new
by Egypt, and the Golan Heights belonged to
development in February 1953, when ties
Syria.138
between Israel and Stalin broke off and Stalin
developed a ―pro-Arab Middle Eastern
policy,‖140 the Egyptian-Czech arms deal
took form and was completed in September of
1955. The Arab forces received huge supplies
of weapons from the Soviet bloc. In addition,
the Egyptian dictator, Gamul Abdul Nasser,
constructed a plan to destroy Israel. By cutting
off access to the Straits of Tiran in 1956,
Nasser denied Israeli ships access to the Gulf
of Aqaba. This cut off Israel’s only passage to
the Red Sea—and by extension, its only means
of receiving petroleum. With the military pact
between Saudi Arabia and Yemen in April, his
victory in seizing the Suez Canal from the
British in July, and his combined military
command with Jordan and Syria in October of
that year, Nasser had set his plan in motion.
However, in a defensive attack coordinated by
the Israelis with the backing of France and
Great Britain on October 29, Israel sent
paratroops to Sinai in an attempt to conquer
the Mitla Pass. During the short war that
ensued, troops sent by France and Great
The attempt by the UN to push armistice Britain aided the Israelis, and by the end of the
talks was completely unsuccessful, as it was war, Israel had conquered the entirety of Sinai,
disregarded by the Arabs immediately after a seized Gaza, and once again unblocked its own
treaty was signed. During the seven-year passage to the Red Sea.141
period from 1949 to 1956, it was recorded that
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While victory had glazed over the eyes of counterattacks that left the Arab armies
the Israelis, the United States decided to fleeing. In less than 6 days, the Sinai region,
intervene – in an attempt to reflect ―pro-Arab all of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the
sympathies‖ and show that there could only be entirety of the Jordanian region to the west of
one Western superpower present in the Middle the Jordan River were under Israeli control.
East during the Cold War – by halting the Once again, the United Nations Security
invasion.142 After negotiations and threats Council intervened and proposed a truce. This
brought on by the United States, Israel time, Israel quickly occupied the new territory
conceded to withdrawing from the newly it had gained and sent the Palestinians fleeing
invaded regions of the Sinai Peninsula and to neighboring countries in thousands. Those
Gaza, on the condition that Egypt would remaining in the region—which consisted of
demilitarize for good, and that a protective about a million individuals—were forced to
force would be put in place in those regions by provide their services to the Israeli
the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. At the military.146
conclusion of these negotiations, the United
The Yom Kippur war (October 1973)
States was the only superpower remaining in
In 1970, President Anwar Sadat came to
the Holy Land, as France and Great Britain
power in Egypt and expressed to the UN that
withdrew their forces from the Canal Zone
he was eager to reach a peace agreement with
region.143
Israel in exchange for the return of the Sinai
The Six-Day War of 1967 Peninsula, which was captured in 1967.147
Between the years of 1949 and 1967, it Sadat’s proposition was ignored by the US and
seemed as though the land disputes had ended Israel, so with another strategy of attack,
with the armistice established in 1949.144 Egypt and Syria initiated a strike on Israel. It
However, this armistice only remained in was on October 6, 1973 that this surprise
terms of a break from a physical war, because attack began. Egypt targeted the Bar Lev line,
the Arab nations had yet to officially recognize located on the eastern side of the Suez Canal,
the state of Israel. The hostility that remained with a series of air and artillery assaults, and
between Israel and some of the more the Syrians targeted the Golan Heights with an
aggressive countries in the Middle East, like intensive tank incursion. With this
Syria and Egypt, manifested itself in simultaneous breach into Israel, hopes were
declarations supporting guerilla attacks against high for the Arabs. With Israel’s air force
Israel. Egypt also established blockades to eliminated by the USSR-supplied ground-to-
prevent Israel from accessing the Suez Canal, air missiles that Egypt had in its arsenal, Egypt
sent troops into the Sinai, and even deemed the soon found its way past the Bar Lev line, and
presence of the United Nations Peacekeeping Syria gained control of the southern portion of
Force unnecessary, insisting on their the Golan Heights.148 Egypt and Syria’s
immediate removal. Syria also acted surprise attacks resulted in early military
aggressively by pouring artillery shells on the victories for the Arabs, and this provoked
Israel towns in Galilee from the Golan American political intervention, followed by
Heights.145 increased military aid to Israel. Israel’s army
While aggressive nations like Egypt and soon retaliated in the north to push Syrian
Syria were open about their hostility toward forces back so that the 1967 treaty borders
Israel, it was not until June of 1967 that were once again imposed. After accomplishing
another major attack was put into motion, with this, the Israelis realized that if their attack
the insistence of the Palestinian extremists. shifted from a defensive one to one that was
Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan sent their more aggressive, not only would they
armies for yet another attack on Israel. exacerbate the conditions of the war, but they
However, before their forces could be put into would also incur outside intervention. As a
action, Israel launched several successful result, upon reaching the original 1967 treaty
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
lines, Israel halted its assault on Damascus and was renamed Palestine. Palestine’s status in
focused its efforts on the Egyptian face of the the UN was further expanded to include
war. Two weeks into the war, the Egyptian participation in General Assembly debates, but
forces that had penetrated Israel were without the right to vote.151 Despite the
infiltrated, and Israel cut the Egyptian line of recognition granted to the PLO by the UN, the
attack back across the Suez Canal. At this United States government still considered it a
time, both the Egyptians and the Israelis terrorist organization until the Madrid
possessed substantial supplies of military Conference in 1991, and the state of Israel did
weapons and materials shipped from their not recognize it until the Oslo Accords were
respective allies, the USSR and the United signed in 1993.152
States.149 Yasser Arafat, who acted as the Chairman
Three weeks into the war, Egypt and Syria of the PLO Executive Committee from 1969
no longer held the advantage of surprise that until his death in 2004, formally sanctioned a
they previously had. Soon, both countries two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-
began to weaken under the pressure of the Palestinian conflict in 1988. The proposal by
strong Israeli forces. Intent on finding a Arafat was dependent on East Jerusalem
resolution, US Secretary of State Kissinger becoming the capital of the future Palestinian
met USSR Chairman Brezhnev in Moscow, state, and on giving Palestinian refugees the
where a UN Security Council proposal for right of return to land occupied by Israel.
armistice was agreed upon. Syria, however,
unlike Egypt and Israel, did not comply with
the resolution. Because of this disagreement,
the war continued and Israeli forces widened
their control over the territories encircling
Mount Hermon, in addition to surrounding
Suez City. Syria was left with limited options.
After the Security Council passed another
resolution several days later, Syria was forced
to comply. However, by late 1975 efforts for
peace had lost their potential for success, and
there seemed to be no practical hope for a
complete Arab-Israeli peace settlement in the
near future.150 The Camp David agreements in 1979 made history,
with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime
The Palestine Liberation Organization Minister Menachem Begin coming together to announce
The Palestine Liberation Organization the beginning of a peaceful coexistence.
(PLO) is a political organization that was
founded in 1964 by the Arab League at the Camp David I
After the end of the Yom Kippur War,
Cairo Summit, and as its name suggests, it is
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat made an
consecrated to the struggle toward the
overture to the Israeli government for peace.
establishment of an independent Palestinian
With peace talks underway between Sadat and
state. Although previously regarded as a
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, US
terrorist organization, it was recognized by the
President Jimmy Carter invited the two leaders
United Nations in 1974 as the legitimate
to Camp David, a presidential retreat in
representative of the Palestinian people, and
Maryland. The discussions were focused on
has held a permanent observer seat in the
two main issues. First, they established a
United States General Assembly since
framework for peace between Egypt and
November 2 of that year. In 1988, in
Israel, which dealt with the settlement of the
accordance with the Palestinian Declaration of
Sinai Peninsula. Second, they worked to
Independence, their representation in the UN
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
develop an outline for possible resolutions to upon which the Intifada was based, the
the issue of Palestine, hoping to grant self- international attention that it attracted to
government to Palestinians in parts of the Palestinian suffering in the West Bank and
occupied territories without necessarily Gaza was unprecedented. This challenged the
deciding upon certain final status concerns.153 Israeli presence in the occupied territories as
In 1979, the agreement between Egypt and never before.158
Israel was signed, bringing the first goal of the Despite the violent response of the Israeli
negotiations to a successful conclusion. troops to the uprising, the resistance continued
However, because the proposal regarding until 1991. In four years, over 1,000
provisional Palestinian autonomy was refused Palestinians were killed, including 200 under
by Palestinians and other Arab nations, the the age of sixteen. Eventually however, it was
second part of the discussions were not divisions within the Palestinians themselves
successful. Moreover, Israel continued its that weakened the movement, as rivalries
construction of new settlements within the developed among the different factions.159
disputed territories, making the Palestinians
even less likely to agree to the terms in the The Gulf War and the Negotiations in
Camp David agreements.154 Madrid and Washington
After the First Intifada, the PLO was
put in a very difficult, and in many respects
unfair, position. Even though the uprising had
The First Intifada
not brought about an end to the occupation of
The First Intifada, which began in
proclaimed Palestinian territories, it
December 1987, was a mass uprising
highlighted the fact that the situation was
instigated by the Palestinian people inhabiting
unstable and definitely mutable in the near
the West Bank and Gaza, unassociated with
future. It also transferred the weight of the
the PLO operating from Tunis at the time.
Palestinian political program ―from the PLO
Literally, intifada means ―shaking off‖ in
leadership in Tunis to the occupied
Arabic, and its purpose was to undermine
territories.‖160 The PLO was urged by
Israeli rule in the occupied territories.155
activists to implement a clear political program
The Intifada attracted ―hundreds of
to lead the Palestinian effort toward
thousands of people, many with no previous
independence. As a result, the Palestine
resistance experience, including children,
National Council assembled in Algeria in
teenagers and women,‖ and it involved ―many
November 1988 to officially recognize the
forms of civil disobedience including massive
state of Israel, assert the independence of a
demonstrations, general strikes, refusal to pay
Palestinian state in the West Bank and the
taxes, boycotts of Israeli products, political
Gaza Strip, and, most importantly, repudiate
graffiti, stone throwing, and the establishment
terrorism. However, the government of Israel
of underground schools—since regular schools
disregarded these gestures and did not
were closed by the military as reprisals for the
acknowledge that the PLO was a legitimate
uprising.‖156 The reason that the uprising was
representative of the Palestinian people and
so popular among the masses was that all of
not a terrorist organization. The US did not
the organizations and institutions that had
show any support for the PLO either, even
grown and suffered under Israeli occupation
though they accepted the changes in their
eventually became involved. Hence, there was
policies.161
mass mobilization.157
As a result of this, in 1990, the PLO—
Even though the PLO itself was not
under Yasser Arafat—expressed its forthright
associated with the uprising, all four main
support for Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq,
factions of the PLO—including Fatah—were
as well as his invasion of Kuwait in the Gulf
involved in the coalition that led the resistance.
War. The PLO did not take this stance because
Therefore, because of the large foundation
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
it was genuinely in favor of the Iraqi takeover Eventually, the failure of the negotiations to
of Kuwait, but because it saw potential for a achieve any progress, compounded with
change in the state of affairs of the Middle Palestinian indignation about the evictions, led
East in Saddam Hussein’s challenge to the US. to growing support for an Islamic resistance
This later proved to be a mistake, as it resulted movement known as Hamas. Previously, the
in the splitting of all previous ties Palestine Israeli government had been in favor of the
had with Kuwaitis, as well as the eviction of development of such Islamic movements,
numerous Palestinians from Kuwait. The because of their tendency to divide the
PLO’s stance in the Gulf War also affected it Palestinians. However, Hamas gained much
negatively in other ways, as it lost popularity support throughout Gaza and the West Bank,
among members of the international and their goals even began to challenge the
community. Moreover, it lost many sources of more moderate secular nationalism offered by
financial assistance, as both Saudi Arabia and the PLO.164
Kuwait stopped providing the PLO financial
The Oslo Accords and the Creation of the
support after the war.162
Palestinian Authority
Because of the weak state of the PLO after
It was a number of various factors that
the Persian Gulf War and requests from the
culminated in the Oslo Accords that took place
Arab nations to facilitate a solution to the
in 1993. Firstly, negotiations in Washington
ongoing Israeli-Palestinian problem, President
had been unsuccessful, but the new Israeli
Bush’s administration was compelled to
government of Yitzhak Rabin was more
pressure Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak
amiable toward the idea of peace between
Shamir to open dialogue with the Palestinians
Palestine and Israel. Secondly, the PLO was
and other Arab nations at a conference held in
still in a position of weakness after the Persian
Madrid, Spain, in October 1991. Shamir was
Gulf War, and the extreme Hamas faction was
reluctant to negotiate with the Palestinians and
quickly gaining support, threatening to replace
demanded that the PLO be excluded from the
Fatah in the PLO. Thus, fearing the rise of the
Madrid Conference. During the course of the
more extreme Hamas faction, Israel shifted
conference, the US government formally
from its position of refusing to negotiate with
recognized the PLO as the legitimate
the PLO and conducted secret discussions in
representation of the Palestinian people;
Oslo, Norway, directly with PLO
however, as predicted, little else was
representatives.165
accomplished during these discussions. Prime
This was a sizeable step forward after the
Minister Shamir acquiesced to Palestinian
fruitless attempts at negotiations in Madrid and
representation—although not from the PLO—
Washington. It resulted in the signing of the
in ensuing negotiations held in Washington,
―Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-
DC; however, little progress was made due to
Government Arrangements,‖ also known as
his intention to ―[drag out] the Washington
the Oslo Accords,‖ during a ceremony hosted
negotiations for ten years, by which time the
in Washington by President Bill Clinton on
annexation of the West Bank would be an
September 13, 1993.166 On this day, Israeli
accomplished fact.‖163
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO
In December 1992, upon Israel’s eviction
chairman Yasser Arafat came together to
of over 400 Palestinian inhabitants of the
conduct an epic and widely publicized
occupied territories, the continuation of
handshake, signaling the approaching end to
negotiations seemed unlikely. The Palestinians
decades of bitter fighting and animosity
were forced to leave because they were
between the Israeli and Palestinian people.167
suspected of being involved with radical
Before the signing of the accords in
Islamic activity. This brought into question the
Washington, an exchange of letters had taken
genuineness of the Palestinian representatives
place between Arafat and Rabin. On
attending the Washington negotiations.
September 9, 1993, a letter concerning key
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
issues of Israel and the PLO was addressed to Moreover, elections for the Palestinian
Yitzhak Rabin from Yasser Arafat. The letter Legislative Council and presidency of the PA
consisted of a number of points, including the were delayed until January 1996, at which
PLO’s restated recognition of ―the right of the point Yasser Arafat assumed his role as
State of Israel to exist in peace and president of the Palestinian people. Although
security,‖168 its acceptance of United Nations the PLO and the PA were not formally linked,
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, its after this election, the PLO and members of
repudiation of the ―use of terrorism and other the Fatah faction dominated the
acts of violence,‖169 and its stated dedication administration. Arafat was the Chairman of the
to the Middle East peace process. In response, PLO Executive Committee and the President
Prime Minister Rabin wrote a letter addressed of the Palestinian Authority until his death in
to Yasser Arafat claiming that ―Israel has 2004. After his death, Arafat was replaced by
decided to recognize the PLO as the Mahmoud Abbas—also known as Abu
representative of the Palestinian people and Mazen—as the leader of the Fatah political
commence negotiations with the PLO within party, the Chairman of the PLO, as well as the
the Middle East peace process.‖170 President of the PA. Mahmoud Abbas has
The Oslo Accords themselves been actively pursuing many of the same goals
accomplished several important things. First, as Arafat.173
there was mutual agreement about the
―transfer of power and responsibilities‖ of the
West Bank and Gaza Strip to the Palestinians. Fatah and Hamas
This agreement took into account five different Fatah, the major center-left Palestinian
spheres, including education and culture, political party that was co-founded by Yasser
health, social welfare, direct taxation, and Arafat, was the leading faction of the PLO—a
tourism, so that Palestinians would be in nationalist, multiparty umbrella confederacy—
control of their own affairs.171 until the January 2006 parliamentary elections.
Second, the responsibility for Palestinian In these elections, the main opposition party,
rule was given to the Palestinian Authority Hamas, won 76 out of 132 of the seats in the
(PA), an interim governmental organization Palestinian parliament, placing them in the
that was created during the Oslo Accords with majority.174 Fatah resigned all of its cabinet
the mandate to govern specific parts of the positions in the chamber in order to express its
disputed territories under the name of refusal to be associated with Hamas,175
Palestine. These disputed areas included the because Hamas is viewed by a large portion of
Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, regions the international community, including the US,
that were claimed by Palestinians for a future EU, Australia, and Japan, as a terrorist
independent state. The PA was created as part organization not to be negotiated with.176
of a 5-year interim period, during which Hamas is essentially an Islamist political party
negotiations about ―permanent status issues‖ that functions as both a social and political
would take place. The goal was to continue organization. It was created in 1987 at the start
negotiations until Palestine was officially of the First Intifada. Ever since it came into
established as an independent state. These existence, Hamas has carried out countless
―permanent status issues,‖ which included the suicide bombings against the Israelis, in
status of Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, addition to rocket attacks, the launching of
security arrangements, and borders, were missiles, and endless shootings. Hamas’s
excluded from the Declaration of Principles, recent rise in popularity among the Palestinian
and negotiations between the two sides people can be attributed to its dedication to
concerning their settlement never took Palestinian liberation and to the social reforms
place.172 it has implemented in the Gaza Strip in order
to improve living conditions.177
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rely on terror, have been criticized for
polarizing the divide.

The international community opposed


these settlements, because the projects were
viewed as ―marking out territory‖ that Israel
intended on keeping as part of a final
compromise. When discussions resumed in
mid-2000, Israel agreed to partially withdraw
from the West Bank and Gaza.180 In the
dialogue that took place at Camp David II with
Hamas gained control of much of Palestine after its President Clinton, Israel’s offer of restoring
sweeping victory in the 2006 elections. However, its 40% of the West Bank and 65% of the Gaza
tactics, which often rely on terror, have been criticized Strip to the Palestinians was unacceptable for
for polarizing the divide. Yasser Arafat as well as the rest of the Arab
Post Oslo and Camp David II nations, especially because Israel’s position on
The negotiating process set up by the East Jerusalem and the refugee problem
Oslo Accords was intended to come to a remained unchanged.181
conclusion by the year 1999. However, violent
eruptions by Palestinian opponents such as
Hamas, Israel’s qualms about handing over its Current Situation
control of the occupied territories, and
reluctance on both sides to come to a The Second Intifada
The unsuccessful discussions at Camp
compromise on the difficult ―permanent status
issues‖ caused several delays in the process. In David marked the official failure of the Oslo
addition, between 1996 and 1999, upon the process and sparked the Second Intifada in
September 2000. The uprising officially began
Israeli Likud party’s return to power, the
government of Prime Minister Benjamin after Likud leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to
Netanyahu was reluctant to continue Israel’s Temple Mount, on September 28182. Temple
Mount is known to Muslims as the Noble
commitment to the Oslo process.178
In 1999, the Labor party returned to Sanctuary and is one of the most religious
power, and Prime Minister Ehud Barak was locations in the Old City of Jerusalem, a
walled area within modern day Jerusalem that
dedicated to making strides toward peace. His
first step was to make a proposal to the includes several important religious sites such
Syrians, hoping to reach a settlement by as the Temple Mount and its Western Wall for
Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for
offering to restore most of the area of the
Golan Heights that was captured by Israel in Christians, and the Dome of the Rock and al-
1967. The Syrian government, unwilling to Aqsa Mosque for Muslims. As consistent with
Muslim belief, the Noble Sanctuary was the
accept anything but the entire region of the
Golan Heights, refused this offer.179 Prime location of Prophet Muhammad’s ascent to
Minister Barak then made an initiative to heaven during his night-time journey, and it is
therefore regarded as the third holiest location
continue peace talks with the Palestinians.
During the period when negotiations had in Islam. According to Sharon, the reason for
slowed, Israel had continued the construction his visit to Temple Mount was to affirm the
right of Israelis to visit the holy site, since they
of settlements in occupied territories.
retained sovereignty over the Old City.
Hamas gained control of much of However, as stated by Ofir Akounis, a Likud
spokesperson, the reason was to ―show that
Palestine after its sweeping victory in the 2006
elections. However, its tactics, which often
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
under a Likud government, [Temple Mount] After Abbas was selected as prime minister,
would remain under Israeli sovereignty.‖183 the US government broached the Road Map
This resulted in immediate, violent for Peace—a plan devised by the Quartet of
responses from the Palestinian masses in Powers to resolve the Palestinian conflict. The
Jerusalem, with protests and demonstrations Road Map called for an end to the construction
erupting all across the West Bank and Gaza of settlements in the disputed territories, the
Strip, as well as in towns within Israel itself. renouncing of militant activity, and the
The resistance was carried out in a very similar eventual creation of a sovereign Palestinian
fashion to the first, with protesters throwing state. However, despite Abbas’ attempts to
stones, Molotov cocktails, and missiles at suppress militant activity, organizations such
Israeli soldiers and buildings. However, the as al-Aqsa and Hezbollah continued their
number of people involved was much higher activism. The Palestinian leadership was either
the second time around, and the battle much unable or unwilling to make significant efforts
bloodier. Israeli troops responded with to stifle these organizations, for fear of igniting
comparable violence, countering the a civil war.187
Palestinians with rubber-coated steel bullets in In June 2003, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad
addition to live ammunition. Prime Minister announced a temporary armistice, calling for a
Ariel Sharon, who came to power in 2001, stop to all attacks on Israelis for 45 days.
launched a ―systematic campaign against Violence subsided significantly over this
Palestinian Authority targets, in particular the period, but occasional attacks and suicide
police and the prisons.‖184 bombings still continued. Israel claimed that
The uprising continued for several years, Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad were
and was not considered over until late 2005. connected to Iran and Syria, and that the
Throughout this time, both sides were witness funding they received from these nations was
to acts of extreme violence and brutality, such exacerbating the situation.188
as lynching, suicide bombings, strict curfews, On February 2, 2004, Prime Minister Ariel
and the unannounced demolition of houses. In Sharon revealed his ―Gaza Disengagement
2001, Israel was compelled to resort to the use Plan,‖ a move that would result in the
of warplanes instead of helicopter gunships to voluntary removal, or the forced eviction, of
carry out aerial attacks against Palestinian Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip. Many viewed
targets in the territories, a measure that had not the implementation of the disengagement as
been taken since the war in 1967.185 the point where the intifada began to die down.
In 2003, upon the arousal of suspicions Even though fighting and killing continued, it
that Yasser Arafat had provided funding to the became less regular and less violent.189
al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, a violent offshoot Following the natural death of Yasser
of Fatah that was deeply involved in terrorist Arafat in November 11, 2004, Mahmoud
activity during the Intifada and later the War Abbas was elected to assume the presidency of
of Lebanon in 2006, the international the PA in January 2005. He openly expressed
community demanded the implementation of his support for diplomatic negotiations with
democratic reforms in the Palestinian Israel and called for an end to the recent
Authority. There was also pressure placed on violence. However, Abbas did not encourage
Arafat for the creation of a prime minister forced disarmament of the militant factions, so
position, not associated with the position of violence continued in the Gaza Strip.190 This
president. Therefore, on March 13, 2003, the led Ariel Sharon to immobilize all peaceful
moderate Mahmoud Abbas was selected to contacts with the PA, announcing that Abbas
become the prime minister of Palestinian.186 must make ―a real effort to stop the terror.‖
This act showed that the Palestinian In an attempt to suppress the continued
Authority was willing to maintain a good launching of Qassam rockets from the northern
rapport with the international community. Gaza Strip, Abbas deployed Palestinian police
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
to the region, which resulted in the significant eviction of the remaining settlers an easier task
reduction of attacks on Israel. Then, in for Israeli troops. Families received payments
February 8 of that year, Sharon and Abbas of up to $400,000, depending on house and
191settled on a bilateral truce between Israel family size, in compensation for leaving.196
and the PA at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit of
2005. Jordan and Egypt were also present at
the summit. Despite this, however, militant
organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad
refused to commit to a binding truce until
Israel had made steps to follow the road map
for peace.192
In spite of the truce, occasional attacks by
Hamas continued. In these cases, Hamas fired
several Qassam rockets and mortar shells to
attack Israeli settlements. The attacks were
claimed to be in retaliation for Palestinian
deaths at the hands of the Israelis, but Abbas The presence of Israeli settlers in contested areas
repudiated the use of such violent actions, has made seeking any resolution difficult, as both sides
especially after the established truce. now voice legitimate concerns.
Nonetheless, these attacks resulted in a wave The forceful eviction of the remaining
of criticism for Sharon’s disengagement plan, settlers took place over the course of a few
which already had numerous Israeli opponents, days after the August 15, 2005 deadline. The
and Sharon lost a lot of popularity among the overall process, which included eviction,
Jewish settlers.193 demolition of the buildings, and pullout of the
50,000 troops and police forces responsible for
Sharon’s Disengagement Plan the evacuation, was completed by September
The Israeli Disengagement plan, which 12. On that date, the Gaza Strip was turned
was also known as the Gaza Expulsion plan, over to the Palestinians, and ten days later, the
was proposed by Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime four settlements in the northern West Bank
Minister during the Second Intifada. It were also evacuated and demolished.197
outlined the eviction of all Israeli settlers from The Jewish settlements in the West Bank
the 21 settlements that existed in Gaza Strip and Gaza Strip have always been viewed as an
and from four of the settlements in the obstacle for peace between Israelis and
northern West Bank region. The Israeli Palestinians, and the international community
government approved the plan on June 6, considers the evacuation of settlers from this
2004.194 region a key condition for an end to the
When the plan was implemented, Israeli conflict. However, Prime Minister Sharon’s
citizens that would be affected by it were plan was not necessarily geared toward peace,
offered compensation packages if they agreed as it was a unilateral action most likely
to voluntarily vacate their settlements. In intended for another purpose. In a number of
September 2004, Israeli senior Cabinet interviews, Sharon stated that as a result of the
ministers sanctioned early cash payments to Gaza pullout, Israel can now justify holding on
settlers who met an August 2005 deadline of to larger blocks of the West Bank, where there
leaving their homes.195 This was the first are over 120 Jewish settlements.198
realistic step in the direction of the Gaza The presence of Israeli settlers in contested
pullout. The government hoped that these areas has made seeking any resolution
compensation packages would persuade the difficult, as both sides now voice legitimate
majority of the 8,000 citizens living in the concerns.
Gaza Strip to leave their settlements
voluntarily, and thereby render the forceful
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Despite the Prime Minister’s intentions, this day, considered as the basis for ongoing
the Disengagement Plan was a very negotiations.202
controversial move within Israeli politics.
Gaza Blockade, Hamas Victory, and
Sharon, whose previous policy involved the
Palestinian De Facto Government
annexation and settlement of the Palestinian
During the course of the Second Intifada,
lands that Israel had captured in the 1967 Mid-
Israel imposed a military blockade on the Gaza
East War, was criticized for ostensibly having
Strip, and the Gaza International Airport was
changed his position in favor of the
closed. Furthermore, all entry and exit points
Palestinians. The controversial plan resulted in
in the territories were sealed for security
the splitting of his Likud Political Party,
reasons. The blockade had an enormous effect
leading to his alienation from traditional
on the region’s economy, resulting in the
supporters, including Jewish settlers and right
devastation of land and vegetation. It was
wing Israelis. At the same time, Palestinians
estimated that losses in agricultural
were also opposed to the plan, because they
productivity were equal to several million
saw it as a means for Israel to avoid following
dollars. According to the UN Conference on
the road map supported by the international
Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the
community.199
Palestinian economy was collapsing due to de-
Upon the implementation of the
development on the order of a billion dollars.
disengagement plan, Sharon stated that Israel
The devastating economic and humanitarian
would follow through with its withdrawal from
situation attracted much attention from the
the Gaza Strip and the four settlements in the
international community.203
West Bank; however, he proclaimed that after
After the Israeli disengagement of Gaza,
the plan was carried out, there may very well
US Secretary General Condoleezza Rice
be ―a long period when nothing else
facilitated an agreement between the PLO and
happens‖200 in terms of movements toward
Israel to improve the state of the Palestinian
peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He
economy and to provide the people of Gaza
also added, in an interview in September 2004,
with increased freedom of movement. Certain
that Israel did not intend to immediately
crossings were opened to people with
follow the ―road map for peace,‖ supported by
Palestinian IDs and goods were permitted to
the US, Russia, EU, and UN, and that there
enter and exit the area. However, because of
was a high likelihood that Israelis would
continued restrictions, the Gaza Strip was
remain in large portions of the West Bank long
limited to only 10% of its minimal daily export
after the Gaza withdrawal. This statement
target, and basic food commodities were
angered many Palestinians, who feared that the
extremely scarce.204
Israelis were not making steps toward peace
Hamas’ recent rise in popularity among the
negotiations as outlined in the road map.201
Palestinian people can be attributed to the
The road map, which was first delineated by
social reforms they put into place. They have
U.S. President George W. Bush on June 24,
funded numerous schools, hospitals, clinics,
2002, proposes the existence of an
mosques, youth groups, athletic clubs, and day
independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
care centers, providing continued food and
It was approved by both sides in the year 2003.
health services to the suffering people in Gaza.
The road map calls for effective peace
In fact, approximately 85 percent of Hamas
negotiations and does not explicitly sketch out
revenues are used to fund health, social
the borders of the two states, leaving that up to
welfare, religious, cultural, and educational
negotiations. Unfortunately, even though the
services.205 Even though they are seen as a
plan aimed for the establishment of an
terrorist organization, they are much more
independent Palestine by 2005, it was never
organized than the Fatah faction. They are
seriously initiated due to lack of support for
dedicated to their cause of Palestinian
the plan on both sides. Nonetheless, it is, to
liberation at whatever cost, and some, like
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
previous President Jimmy Carter, even claim
that they are more capable of ruling the
Palestinian people than the Fatah party.206
When Hamas unexpectedly triumphed
against Fatah in the January 25, 2006 general
elections for the Palestinian Legislative
Council, violent fighting erupted between the
two factions. After a series of battles in the
Gaza Strip in 2007, in which Fatah was
unsuccessful, President Mahmoud Abbas
declared a suspension to the unity government Mahmoud Abbas has been leader of the Palestine
and announced a state of emergency on June Liberation Organization since 2005 and is a member of
14.207 He dismissed newly elected Prime the Fatah party. He has come under heavy criticism
recently, having been accused of corruption and
Minister Ismail Haniya, senior political leader authoritarianism.
of the Hamas party, by presidential decree, and
Salam Fayyad was appointed in his place. After Abbas announced the dissolution of
Critics view Abbas’ appointment of Fayyad in the unity government, influential international
Haniya’s place as illegal, because even though players including the US, EU, and Israel
the president retains the right to discharge a publicly expressed their espousal of a
sitting Prime Minister under Palestinian Basic Palestinian government without Hamas,
Law, the appointment of a replacement is not directing their financial support to the
within his powers. Since Fayyad was never Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.210
approved by the Palestinian Legislative They hoped to support Abbas’ West Bank
Council, Haniya is still believed to be the government and weaken Hamas rule in Gaza,
legitimate Palestinian prime minister by many asserting that Hamas is a terrorist organization
people.208 that should not be recognized as a legitimate
The political consequences of the conflict political group.211
are complicated, due to the fact that the Furthermore, to compound the detrimental
territory legally under the rule of the effects of lost financial support, Israel resumed
Palestinian Authority has de facto been broken a complete economic blockade of the Gaza
up into two entities: Hamas retains control Strip, rendering the living conditions in the
over the Gaza Strip, with Prime Minister region worse than ever. The Egyptian
Ismail Haniya refusing to acknowledge the government supported the blockade, because
legitimacy of his dismissal; and the Palestinian they were worried that Hamas militancy could
Authority is in control of the West Bank, with potentially create trouble in Egypt. They
Salam Fayyad acting as prime minister after hoped that the blockade would weaken Hamas
his appointment in 2007 by President and therefore decrease its militant activity. In
Mahmoud Abbas. Because of his actions, response, Hamas instigated another wave of
Abbas has been accused of corruption. Elected rocket attacks on Israel, causing the conflict to
to serve only until January 2009, he has escalate. Further sanctions were implemented,
unilaterally extended his presidency for an and the blockade was tightened.212
extra year because of the Palestinian ―state of
emergency,‖ claiming that the Basic Law The GazaWar
allowed him to do so. However, Hamas In an attempt to ease restrictions
declared that it refused to recognize this imposed by the blockade and decrease the
extension, and many other critics also view it suffering of the population in Gaza, Israel and
as illegal.209 Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and the partial
lifting of the sanctions in June 2008. However,
Palestinian hopes that living conditions in
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
Gaza would improve were soon replaced by prevent the militants from preparing for the
disappointment, and slowly, frustration. Israel war by changing headquarters and moving the
lifted certain restrictions, as more clothing, location of weapons and equipment.220
staple foods, and fuel for electricity and power
Air Strikes
were let into the region.213 However, with a
On December 27, 2008, the Israeli Air
sewage system that has long needed
Force (IAF) conducted an assault on 100
replacements and repairs, and with Israel
Hamas targets that had previously been
prohibiting the import of necessary machinery,
marked as sites of potential militant activity.
the quality of life in Gaza has barely
The attack consisted of 88 aircrafts, and it was
improved. ―Most of Gaza’s sewage cannot be
carried out within a period of 3.5 minutes. The
treated properly, so tons of raw waste flow
IAF announced that the attack had been
straight into the sea,‖ affecting the port, the
conducted with a 95 percent success rate,
fishermen, the fish, and people swimming in
followed by a second assault by 60 jets and
the sea.214 The sewage system in Gaza is
helicopters on another 60 targets, which
among several things affecting inhabitants’
included Hamas headquarters, police stations,
quality of life that needs urgent attention. ―It
and government offices.221 According to
took months and months of negotiations to get
Israeli Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni, Israel did
Israel to allow some spare parts through the
not plan on hesitating before attacking any
borders,‖ says Maher al-Najjar, an engineer at
target that was associated with the
the Gaza Emergency Water Project.215
―illegitimate, terrorist government of
Additionally, with the economy in such a poor
Hamas.‖222
state, vast numbers of Gazans are out of work.
After the first series of assaults on the first
Over 1.5 million people, a significant portion
day, the Palestinian death toll was up to at
of the total population, are dependent on food
least 230 people, with an additional 700
aid that barely makes it through the
injured. Civilians and children were also
blockade.216
included in the casualties.223 The fact that the
Due to rising frustration in Gaza and
attacks were initiated around the time that
Hamas’ occasional incidents of violence and
children were leaving school has evoked the
rocket fire against the Israelis, there were a
criticism of many human rights groups.224
series of violent outbreaks from both sides,
The attack, which was code-named Operation
each in retaliation of the previous.217 As
Cast Lead, has become known to the
stated by the Intelligence and Terrorism
Palestinians as the Massacre of Black
Information Center, on December 18, 2008, a
Saturday.225
military wing of Hamas fired a wave of
The IAF declared that 80 percent of the
rockets and mortar shells into Israel from
bombs they used were precision weapons, and
northern Gaza in continued reprisal. The
that 99 percent of the air assaults successfully
ceasefire that had been fragile from the start
hit their targets.226 A report by the Center for
was obviously over, and the Israelis responded
Strategic and International Studies confirmed
with a full military attack on Gaza in late
that the IAF had carried out the air strikes
December.218
using the ―smallest precision-guided weapons‖
Israeli Offensive and had deployed bombs using GPS as often
Israel had been planning for potential as possible, in order to minimize collateral
military action six months in advance by damage.227
gathering information about possible targets. The IDF further attempted to reduce
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak civilian casualties by warning Palestinians
announced that the attack was the result of through the distribution of leaflets and phone
Israel losing patience over the insistent rocket messages. Palestinian families that were living
attacks.219 The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in high-risk areas, such as those living in
wished to take Hamas by surprise, in order to buildings that were associated with Hamas
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
militant activity, and even family members of
Hamas personnel were warned and encouraged
to evacuate before attacks took place.228 In
numerous instances, sound bombs were set off
in the neighborhoods 10 or 15 minutes before
an air strike in order to give the residents
enough time to evacuate the buildings.229 To
maintain the element of surprise, some attacks
happened sooner than the warnings suggested
and some never even occurred.230 Israeli air strikes have been criticized by human rights
Despite all these efforts to limit civilian organizations and many members of the international
casualties, many of the prominent Hamas community. Israel maintains that such strikes are
directed at combatants and necessary for its security.
leaders that were targeted were killed together
with their families at home.231 The air strikes
At the start of the war, Hamas had
continued until January 17, but on January 3,
developed Qassam rockets with increased
the Israelis also initiated a ground operation.
range, putting Israelis within a 40 kilometer
The goal of the ground invasion was to ―secure
radius – or one-eighth of the Israeli population
areas within the Gaza strip from which
– in danger of attacks. By mid-January,
militants continued to launch rockets even
paramilitary groups—such as the Qassam
after the Israeli air strikes.‖232 They targeted
Brigades and Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the
any buildings that they suspected of being
military wing of Fatah—had launched 565
associated with Hamas, including mosques,
rockets and 200 mortar shells into southern
residential buildings, weapons depots, and
Israel from Gaza.236 Fatah officials claimed
rocket launch sites. As Israelis invaded
that the attacks conflicted with the official
significant portions of the Strip with tanks and
position of Fatah leader and PA President
troops, thousands of Palestinians fled their
Mahmoud Abbas, who had requested both
neighborhoods in the midst of gunfire, as
sides to put an end to the violence.237
Hamas members and even civilians engaged in
gun battles with the Israeli troops.233 On
January 6, when Israeli mortar shells came Unilateral Ceasefires
close to hitting the Al-Fakhura school, there On January 17, Israeli Prime Minister
was a public outcry and an expression of Ehud Olmert announced that the military aims
condemnation from UN Secretary General Ban of the operation had been met and declared a
Ki Moon and many international aid agencies, unilateral ceasefire without any negotiations
resulting in a strong impetus for the with Hamas.238 The Israeli plan was to put
establishment of a ceasefire.234 Moreover, a the cease-fire into effect and wait to see
potentially accidental Israeli shelling of the whether Hamas would stop firing rockets into
United Nations Relief and Works Agency Israel before withdrawing their forces. The
headquarters, which resulted in three injuries theory was that if Hamas continued firing
and the destruction of tons of food and fuel rockets after the Israeli cease-fire, the Defense
that was intended for 750,000 Palestinian Force could resume their invasion. After
refugees, led to an apology from Prime having at least attempted a truce agreement,
Minister Ehud Olmert.235 they would be more likely to win the support
of the international community.239
Hamas responded by saying that they
considered the presence of Israeli troops in
Gaza an act of war and ―vowed to fight
on.‖240 The next day, Hamas, Islamic Jihad,
and other groups announced that they would
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
give Israeli troops one week to withdraw from Program proclaimed that the attacks on Gaza
Israel, during which time they would stop affected the ―livelihoods and assets of tens of
firing rockets.241 The Israeli forces finished thousands of Gaza civilians.‖252 Reports
withdrawing their troops on January 21.242 indicate that Gaza experienced a loss of
After the cease-fires, Hamas put a stop to approximately $2 billion in assets, and that the
the firing of rockets and channeled its efforts war resulted in the destruction of 4,000
toward gaining more support from both homes,253 up to 700 factories, 24 mosques, 31
Palestinians and the international community security compounds, and 10 water and sewage
through ―cultural initiatives and public lines.254 About 51,000 Gazans were left
relations.‖243 A Hamas official declared that without a home, and currently, 80 percent of
―the fighters needed a break and the people the population is incapable of supporting
needed a break.‖244 However, Hamas has themselves and must rely on humanitarian
received much criticism from radical Islamic aid.255 Because of the conflict in Gaza, many
organizations for having seemingly abandoned members of the international community, such
its original goals and its dedication to the as the EU, US, the Organization of the Islamic
liberation of Palestinians and the destruction of Conference, and more than 50 other countries,
Israel.245 have contributed aid to Gaza. The US alone
donated more than $20 million.256 The inflow
Casualties and Effects
of required food and supplies is still somewhat
There are contradictory views about the
restricted, however Israel, a number of
number of civilian casualties that the Gaza
Western countries, and a few Arab countries
War caused, as Israeli officials claim that
requested that international aid groups control
many more of their targets were associated
the flow of aid and donations from around the
with Hamas than the Palestinians do, and
world, to ensure that Hamas would not receive
Hamas claims to have suffered fewer losses
credit for the recovery of Gaza in the eyes of
than the Israelis claim they did. The
the Palestinian people. This was designed to
Palestinian Ministry of Health, a Gaza
prevent suffering Gazans from turning to
governmental office (PMoH), stated that there
Hamas as their advocates and saviors.258
had been 1,324 Gazan fatalities, most of which
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama
were civilians.246 This number included 437
became President of the United States of
children under sixteen, 110 women, 123
America and sent George Mitchell, his envoy
elderly men, 14 medics, and four journalists.
to the Middle East, to visit Israel, the West
In addition, there were 1,890 wounded
Bank, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi
children. However, Hamas claimed that the
Arabia to encourage the continuation of peace
militant group itself only suffered 48 fatalities,
negotiations. Although Mitchell conducted the
compared to the 80 Israeli soldiers that they
first of his meetings as early as January 27,
claim to have killed.247
2009 in Cairo, he did not plan on talking to
An IDF report in March 2009
Hamas, limiting his communication to only the
announced that the Palestinian death toll was
more moderate Palestinian Authority.259
about 1,166, including 295 civilians, 89 of
Hamas officials were disappointed with
whom were under sixteen years old, and 49 of
Mitchell’s decision to not initiate dialogue
whom were women. They claimed that at least
with them.260
709 of the deaths were affiliated with a
militant organization.248 They stated that Outstanding Disputes
throughout the course of the conflict, 13 The problem with the agreements that
Israelis were killed249—three of whom were resulted during the Oslo Accords was that they
civilians—and 336 were wounded250, instituted a negotiating process without
including 182 civilians.251 stipulating an outcome. This was due to the
The war had severe economic effects on disagreements that still endured propos
Gaza. The United Nations Development important topics such as the fate of Jerusalem,
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SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
the matter of refugees, border disputes, occasion in 1969, a fire destroyed the entire
security concerns, resource distribution, and south wing of the mosque, and the discovery
international status.261Jerusalem: and opening of the ancient tunnels under the
Even though Prime Minister Rabin was in mosque in 1981 led to the weakening of the
favor of peace negotiations, he emphasized structure.266Refugeesand the Right of Return:
that Israel’s position on Jerusalem remained The fate of Palestinian refugees that have
unaffected. When the accords were signed, he been dispersed throughout neighboring Arab
stated that ―Jerusalem is the ancient and countries like Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, as well
eternal capital of the Jewish people. An as to areas within the West Bank and Gaza,
undivided Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty, has also been a contentious topic. Palestinians
with religious freedom for all…remains a proclaim the ―right of return‖ of their people to
fundamental Israeli position.‖262 At the same Israeli occupied lands—to the property that
time, the Palestinian people have always they were forced to leave in ―the former
claimed east Jerusalem as the capital for their British Mandate of Palestine‖ as a result of the
future nation, and this matter continues to be a 1948 Palestine War and the 1967 Six-Day
problem today. War. The Israeli government considers this an
In the years 2000 and 2001, at the Camp impossible demand, because the matter is
David and Taba Summits, the US made a much more complicated. The Palestinians
proposition regarding the issue of Jerusalem. claim that the ―right of return‖ applies not only
The proposal suggested a plan for Jerusalem to the original refugees, but also to their
that would place the Arab regions of the city second and third generation descendants, who
under Palestinian control, and the Jewish parts have grown tremendously in number since the
of the city under Israeli control. To account for issue of refugees was first brought up.267
the archaeological work taking place under the There are currently 4.6 million Palestinian
Temple Mount, the US proposed joint control refugees registered with the UN Relief and
between Israel and the future state of Palestine. Work Agency, and they are living under
At that time, both sides consented to the terrible living conditions.268 Most families are
proposal, but in the end, the summits proved to dependent on humanitarian aid, and will starve
be unsuccessful.263 to death without it. These refugees need help
Israel’s biggest concerns regarding as soon as possible, so the international
Jerusalem under Palestinian rule are community should make sure to facilitate the
maintenance and right of access. In the past, establishment of a final agreement between the
when Jerusalem belonged to Jordan, Jews two sides, in order to improve their standard of
were not allowed to visit any of the Jewish living.269
holy places like the Western Wall, and
Border Disputes, Israeli Settlements in the
important Jewish sites like the cemetery on the
West Bank, and the West Bank Barrier: The
Mount of Olives were damaged.264 On one
West Bank Barrier
occasion in the year 2000, Joseph’s Tomb was
The state of Israel began construction on
vandalized, burned down, and turned into a
an Israeli West Bank barrier in 2002. It is a
mosque by a Palestinian mob. Israel is also
―part-wall, part metal fence‖270 that is being
concerned about the safety of its residents,
built for the stated purpose of protecting Israeli
who could potentially be put in danger if
citizens by hindering suicide bombers and
certain neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem
other Palestinian terrorists trying to enter
were under Palestinian control.265
Israeli lands. The barrier, which has been built
Palestinians also have serious concerns
as high as three to eight meters in different
about the safety of Christian and Muslim holy
parts, consists of ―a network of fences with
places that are under Israeli control. There
vehicle-barrier trenches.‖271
have been a number of attacks on the Al-Aqsa
The Palestinian people and the rest of the
Mosque since 1967. On one particular
international community suspect that the
General Assembly 20
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
building of the structure is intended as a land disorder in the lives of thousands of
claim by the Israeli government and some Palestinians. If the barrier in constructed as
argue that the fence is ―designed to redraw currently intended, about 125,000 Palestinians,
borders ahead of any future peace from 28 different communities, will be
settlement.‖272 The route that the barrier is surrounded by the barrier on three sides.
being constructed on has been a matter of great Around 26,000 Palestinians from eight
controversy, because instead of being built communities will be completely enclosed by
along the Green Line, it curves to include the the barrier on all four sides, with access to the
contested Israeli settlements in the West rest of the West Bank through only a small
Bank.273 The Green Line refers to the number of roads or tunnels.278 The UN is
boundary separating Israel from the West maintaining a watch on the construction of the
Bank, or the 1949 Armistice lines that were barrier by means of satellite imagery. It is easy
agreed upon by Israel, Egypt, Jordan, to discern the ―damage done to Palestinian
Lebanon, and Syria after the 1948 Arab-Israeli villages‖ affected by the construction of the
War. Essentially, Israel is including more of barrier. Many villages have been split, while
the West Bank on the Israeli side of the wall others have been trapped on the outside of the
than is currently permitted by the international wall.279 Those who have been separated from
community. Despite this, Jewish settlers their land find it extremely difficult to reach
criticize the government for not having different villages and population centers,
claimed the entire West Bank, under the because the checkpoints add great distances to
premise of ―Promised Land.‖ The international their trips. The barrier has also made it more
community has criticized Israel for building difficult for Palestinians to access water
into areas of the West Bank that are claimed sources and medical services in Israel.
by Palestinians for a future state, placing an Moreover, it has caused economic problems
obstacle in the path of future negotiations. since employment has been increasingly
Because of this, the International Court of difficult to acquire.280
Justice ruled in 2004 that the barrier is illegal, According to statistics collected by Israeli
requesting that it be torn down.274 The ruling sources, ever since construction of the barrier
declared that ―Israel cannot rely on a right of began, the incidents of Palestinian infiltration,
self-defense or on a state of necessity in order suicide bombings, and other attacks in Israeli
to preclude the wrongfulness of the settlements have decreased considerably.
construction of the wall,‖ and that the barrier’s Officials claim that further development of the
construction is ―contrary to international barrier will prove increasingly effective in
law.‖275 preventing such attacks. However, the UN still
The completed Barrier will have a total regards the barrier as illegal, equivalent to ―an
length of 709 kilometers, which is twice as unlawful act of annexation.‖281
long as the length of the Green Line
Recent Debates
established in 1949, and will include 9.5% of
Beginning in 2004, Israeli officials have
the West Bank on the Israeli side of the wall,
expressed that Israel does not plan to comply
including East Jerusalem, with 85% of it on
with the ruling of the International Court of
disputed territory.276 In July 2007, The
Justice. As such, construction of the wall has
Jerusalem Post estimated that the Barrier
continued, with its route unaltered. Despite
would not be completed until 2010, several
this ruling and rumors of other discussions
years after the original estimate, as the project
among the international community to
was initially meant to be a part of Sharon’s
implement sanctions against Israel,
Disengagement Plan.277
realistically nothing has been done to prevent
Effects of the Barrier: The winding
the continued construction of the illegal
structure of the concrete walls, wire fences,
barrier.282 Currently, 58.3% of the barrier is
and trenches has already done much to create
completed, 10.2% is under construction, and
General Assembly 21
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
the remaining 31.5% has only been planned to a normal lifestyle. Israel claims that they
out.283 The West Bank barrier has proven to have the right to continue natural growth, but
be a major impediment for peace negotiations the international community argues against
between Israel and Palestinians. it.289
Recently, Israel has announced that it is
willing to withdraw from larger sections of the
West Bank than before. The last map Israel
proposed included 12% of the West Bank as
part of Israel, but now officials have
announced that they will settle for 8.5% of the
land. Meanwhile, the Palestinians insist on a
target of 2%.284 Israelis also claim that the
barrier is simply a security wall, intended to
provide protection against terrorism, and that it
is not intended to serve as part of a future
border, as it can be moved after a settlement is
reached.285 However, the fact that the Israeli
government has repeatedly ignored demands
The continued use of violent tactics on both sides,
by the US and UN for a moratorium on the
including terrorist bombings, have made establishing a
continued construction of settlements in the long-term peace extremely difficult.
West Bank does not seem to indicate a peace
settlement in the near future. Even though the Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime
US has stridently criticized the construction, Minister of Israel, seems much more reluctant
they have thus far not penalized Israel in any than his predecessor to compromise for peace,
way.286 The road map for peace, which is still as he has shown less flexibility. At the same
highly supported by the US, requires Israel to time, Netanyahu is careful to avoid a
remove illegal settlements and halt further confrontation with the US government, as the
construction. At the same time, it calls for the US is Israel’s most important ally, and good
disarming of militant groups by Palestinians. relations between the two countries are
Still hoping to make the road map for peace essential to Israeli security and foreign policy.
successful, the US believes that the settlements Even though the US has not yet announced
will definitely hamper negotiations.287 that it will penalize Israel, they could
The new Obama administration has been potentially reduce economic or military aid,
more critical of Israel’s settlement policy. The restrict arms sales, or decrease the sharing of
Bush administration requested that settlement information between the two nations.290
constructed be stopped, but they also showed Netanyahu has also called on the Arab
their continued support for the country. The states to ―normalize ties with Israel,‖ stating
explicitness with which the Obama that he is willing to take ―concrete steps‖ to
administration has condemned Israeli achieve peace for the Palestinians. However,
settlements has led to rising tensions between like many prime ministers in Israel’s history,
the two allies. In unusually sharp language, his administration has shown inflexibility with
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced regard to the issues of the West Bank,
in May 2009 that the US demands that Israel Jerusalem, and Palestinian refugees. History
freeze all settlement construction, even that has proven that the lack of flexibility will
pertaining to ―natural growth.‖288 Natural surely impede successful peace talks over such
growth refers to the building of new housing to contentious subjects.291
accommodate the expansion of the current Because of the recent conflict with Hamas,
Israeli population in the West Bank as families Israel, the US, and many other Western
continue to grow, in order to uphold their right countries are only willing to negotiation with
General Assembly 22
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
Mahmoud Abbas—who leads the Palestinian Palestine and Israel for a two-state solution.
Authority from the West Bank—as they refuse These resolutions address many of the issues
to recognize the ―militant Islamic Hamas that still remain in dispute today, and there
group that controls the Gaza Strip.‖292 Obama have been different interpretations of certain
has sent US envoy George Mitchell to lead phrases by each side, resulting in heated
peace negotiations in the Middle East and debate.
begin dialogue with Netanyahu and Abbas.293 On December 11, 1948, during the 1948
The continued use of violent tactics on both Arab-Israeli War, the United Nations General
sides, including terrorist bombings, have made Assembly passed resolution 194, which
establishing a long-term peace extremely addressed the situation in Palestine at that
difficult. time, and defined the UN’s intention to
facilitate peace in the region. The 15-article
Israeli Security Concerns: resolution addresses many issues, but only
Another main issue standing in the way of four of its articles are highly disputed and
a peace settlement between the Israelis and relevant to the present situation. When the
Palestinians is security. Throughout the course resolution was voted on, Arab nations like
of the Palestinian struggle for liberation, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and
outbreaks of violence have been nearly Yemen were against its implementation, while
impossible to control. This has persistently Israel was in favor of it.298
been a major concern for the Israelis, and their Articles 7, 8, and 9 of the resolution deal
reluctance to make significant compromises with the issue of holy places within the
without being guaranteed lasting peace is disputed land, as well as the proposal for a
warranted.294 UN-controlled Jerusalem, granting all
Furthermore, the threat posed by the inhabitants of the Israeli-Palestinian region the
ostensibly never-ending Qassam rockets that right of free access to the city under UN
are launched from the Gaza Strip into areas in supervision.299 Specifically, Article 7 states
southern Israel is also of great concern for that ―Holy Places - including Nazareth -
Israel.295 During the recent Gaza War, the religious buildings and sites in Palestine
militant groups of the Hamas faction should be protected and free access to them
developed rockets that had the capability of assured, in accordance with existing rights and
reaching targets farther than ever before, historical practice that arrangements to this
extending their reach from 16 kilometers to 40 end should be under effective United Nations
kilometers, and thus placing more than supervision,‖ and calls for the establishment of
700,000 Israelis within range.296 a ―permanent international regime for the
In 2006 alone, after the disengagement had territory of Jerusalem.‖300 Article 8 specifies
been carried out and Hamas had assumed that because of its significance to three major
control of the Strip, the Israeli government world religions, ―Jerusalem plus the
documented 1,726 rocket attacks, which was surrounding villages and towns, should be
four times as many as those launched in the accorded special and separate treatment from
previous year.297 the rest of Palestine and should be placed
under effective United Nations control.‖301
The article also calls for the immediate
RELEVANT UN demilitarization of the city. In Article 9, the
right of the ―freest possible access to
ACTIONS Jerusalem by road, rail or air‖ is granted to ―all
inhabitants of Palestine.‖302
There are a number of very important UN Article 11 deals with the issue of ―right of
resolutions that must be dealt with if any sort return‖ for Palestinian refugees, and it is by far
of peace agreement is to be reached between the most debated section in the resolution. It
General Assembly 23
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
specifically states: (The General Assembly) Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to does not give descendants the same rights as
their homes and live at peace with their the original refugee.306
neighbors should be permitted to do so at the Another important resolution was ratified
earliest practicable date, and that by the UN on November 22, 1967 as a result
compensation should be paid for the property of the Six-Day War. United Nations Security
of those choosing not to return and for loss of Council Resolution 242 calls for a number of
or damage to property which, under principles important settlements between the two
of international law or in equity, should be sides:307
made good by the Governments or authorities the establishment of a just and lasting peace in
responsible;303 the Middle East,
Ever since the 1948 war, and especially the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from
after the passing of resolution 194—where territories occupied in the recent conflict,the
right of return was addressed for the first termination of all claims or states of
time—the problem of refugees has been a very belligerency and respect for and,
sensitive and disputed topic for many countries acknowledgement of the sovereignty,
in the region. There are several different territorial integrity and political independence
interpretations of this article that have been of every State in the area and their right to live
quoted by both sides since the ratification of in peace within secure and recognized
the resolution.304 boundaries free from threats or acts of force,
Israel has always argued against the and
interpretation that refugees should be granted the freedom of navigation through
right of return, pointing to the phrasing of the international waterways in the area
article as support for their argument. For a just settlement of the refugee problem308
example, it has been pointed out that the Because the resolution also emphasizes the
article only gives a right of return to those ―inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory
refugees who ―[wish] to return to their homes by war,‖309 many nations demand that Israel
and live at peace with their neighbors,‖ and should be required to return all of the land that
only at the ―earliest practicable date.‖ The it has occupied. However, Israel argues that
Israeli point of view—as first expressed by this clause should only apply to territories that
David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime are acquired through offensive wars. Officials
Minister—is that as long as the Arab refugees claim that otherwise, the resolution would
cannot be trusted to maintain ―peace with their increase the motivation for violence, because
neighbors,‖ the country is not obliged to aggressors, who would be ―insured against the
compensate the refugees in any way for their main consequence of defeat,‖ would have little
land, or even allow them to return to their to lose by invading another nation.310
homes. Israel highlights the fact that many The most contentious article in the
Palestinians still deny Israel’s right to exist in resolution is the first, which calls for the
support of their argument.305 ―withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from
Another contested issue is the definition of territories occupied in the recent conflict.‖311
the word ―refugee‖ itself. It is unclear whether According to Philip Goldberg, US ambassador
the term used in the resolution applies to to Bolivia until 2008, the fact that the
second or third generation refugees as well the resolution did not demand Israeli withdrawal
original ones. In most cases, the descendants from ―the‖ territories or ―all‖ of the territories
of refugees that have been displaced from their was intentional. Goldberg claimed that
homes are also considered refugees, and because of the omissions, ―the resolution
Palestinians demand the full right of return as speaks of withdrawal from occupied territories
part of any official peace settlement. However, without defining the extent of withdrawal.‖312
a UNHCR definition instituted in 1951 by the The initial draft of the resolution included the
General Assembly 24
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
word ―the,‖ but it was later removed upon Jerusalem
further consideration. The Soviet and Arab The first of these issues involves land
delegates pushed for the words to be included, settlements. In all of the recent peace talks,
but this proposal was rejected. Lord Caradon, there has been a mutually accepted view that
the British ambassador to the UN, supported the only plausible solution to the Israeli-
the Israeli point of view that they should not Palestinian conflict is one involving two states
be required to withdraw from all of the existing peacefully beside one another. The
occupied territories. As a result, Israelis claim question that is highly disputed however, is
that since their withdrawal from the Sinai how much of the West Bank will be included
Peninsula accounted for 91% of the territories in the future state of Palestine, and whether the
they had occupied during the Six-Day War, city of Jerusalem will be divided between the
they have ―already partially, if not wholly, two nations. Until recently, Israel adamantly
fulfilled [their] obligation under 242.‖313 stood by its 39 General Assembly Special
Furthermore, Resolution 242 simply calls Political and Decolonization position that
for a ―peaceful and accepted settlement,‖ control over an undivided Jerusalem is the
without necessarily providing any details inherent right of the Jewish people.315
concerning how to go about obtaining a However, in recent years, there have been
peaceful settlement. This is also the stated goal subtle indications that they are willing to come
of Resolution 338, which was passed on to a compromise for the sake of lasting peace.
October 22, 1973 to end the Yom-Kippur War The Palestinians continue to claim East
and initiate negotiations. Even though the PLO Jerusalem as the capital of their future nation,
initially rejected the two resolutions, it agreed and will not agree to a Palestine without some
that they should form the basis for further claim to the holy city.316 Because of its
negotiations with Israel upon signing the Oslo religious significance, the UN has stated that
Accords in 1993.314 the holy places in the city should be given
appropriate protection, and that the guarantee
PROPOSED of free access to the city should be given to
inhabitants of both Palestine and Israel. The
SOLUTIONS UN has also proposed that the responsibility of
supervising the city should be conceded to an
Throughout the history of negotiations international body appointed by the UN, in
between Israelis, Palestinians, and other Arabs, hopes that the dispute over the city will be
there have been several issues that have resolved.317
always served as impediments to a lasting As for the West Bank, it seems as though
peace agreement because they are inherently both sides must be willing to make sizeable
hard to discuss, and at the same time, highly compromises to come to a settlement. The
contentious. There is no doubt that there will construction of the West Bank barrier is seen
have to be drastic compromises made by both as a major hurdle for peace negotiations, and
sides if there is ever going to be a durable and both sides have legitimate concerns regarding
final settlement to the decades of bitter the issue. Israel sees the barrier as necessary to
conflict. These issues have been discussed ensure Israeli security from Palestinian suicide
before, as they have appeared in UN bombers and other attacks, and they will not
resolutions as well as many of the attempted agree to take it down until the Palestinians
deliberations for peace, such as the Oslo have agreed to a full demilitarization and to
Accords. However, they have never officially enforce peace. However, the Palestinians see
been dealt with, because even partially the barrier as a ploy by Israelis to claim more
successful agreements like the Oslo Accords land, and their justifiable distrust of Israel and
have resorted to the deferral of negotiations the lack of guarantee that a fair settlement will
concerning their details. eventually come about makes them hesitant to
General Assembly 25
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
proceed with full demilitarization and the $265 million after only the first six days of the
enforcement of peace among the more radical operation.322 With these figures in mind, the
militant Palestinian groups. premium that is required to bring decades of
war and animosity to an end is a good
Refugees and the Right of Return
investment.
The fate of Palestinian refugees that have
been displaced from their homes is another Israeli Security Concerns
difficult issue that must be addressed, as the Key players in the international
matter has always been put off until ―future community, including the US and EU,
negotiations‖ by the two sides, and it is one consider the violence carried out against
that will require substantial compromise for a Israelis to be acts of terrorism.323 Different
final settlement. In the Framework for Peace in Palestinian groups do not necessarily agree
the Middle East agreed upon by Egypt and with one another, but the radical factions that
Israel at Camp David in 1978, the subject of are responsible for the majority of the fighting
refugees was delegated to a future ―continuing deny Israel’s right to exist and have vowed to
committee,‖ consisting of representatives from destroy the Jewish state in favor of a
Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Palestinian one.324 Thus, the situation is very
people.318 Likewise, when the Declaration of complex, and the long history of violence has
Principles on Interim Self-Government only exacerbated the problem.
Arrangements—more commonly known as the Israel itself has considered several
Oslo Accords—was signed in 1993, it was options to deal with its security concerns.
agreed that the modalities of Palestinian These ―options have included military
repatriation should be decided by agreement in action—including targeted killings and house
a ―continuing committee.‖319 demolitions of terrorist operatives—
Palestinians claim that all refugees, diplomacy, unilateral gestures toward peace
including descendants of the original refugees, and increased security measures such as
should have the ―right of return‖ to Israeli checkpoints.‖325 However, many members of
occupied lands. The Israeli government the international community have criticized
considers this an impossible demand, because Israel for its methods of dealing with violence,
according to Palestinian sources, there are and there have been allegations of war crimes
approximately 4.6 million Palestinian refugees as well as many humanitarian concerns.326
currently registered with the UN Relief and
Works Agency.320 Israel cannot possibly “The Israeli offensive during the recent, 22-
allow 4.6 million homeless, jobless refugees to day Gaza War cost up to $52 million a day,
return to its lands. Such action would lead to
creating a toll of approximately $265 million
unparalleled disorder within the nation. At the
same time, the Palestinian people are suffering after only the first six days of the operation”
under terrible living conditions, with
extremely limited access to food, clean water, Currently, the only viable solution would
and clothing, not to mention a practically non- involve the existence of both states peacefully
existent sewage system.321 Therefore, it is side-by-side. However, because peace can
only fair that they receive some sort of only be achieved through compromise, and
compensation. The most practical compromise because various groups on each side are not
to the refugee problem would include the willing to agree to a compromise, the
repatriation of some of the original refugees, international community must find a way to
and the monetary compensation of others. guarantee that peace will be enforced if, and
Granted, such compensation will be expensive, when, a settlement is finally achieved.
but the Israeli aerial offensive during the
recent, 22-day Gaza War cost up to $52
million a day, creating a toll of approximately
General Assembly 26
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE

QUESTIONS A BLOC
RESOLUTION POSITIONS
MUST ANSWER Countries in the Middle East and North
Africa do not have a very unified stance
regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the
1. What will become of the status of ongoing issue has affected various countries in
Jerusalem? the region in different ways. Egypt has been
allied to Fatah and has expressed strong
2. Should the city remain undivided and opposition—at times through action—to
remain unified within Israel’s political Hamas in Gaza. Other Sunni states seem to
control? Or should Palestinians be given have similar positions as Egypt, with a
claim over parts of the city that were not fluctuating amount of involvement. Iran, Syria,
part of Israel prior to 1967? and Lebanon have shown various levels of
3. If the city is divided, how will the support for the Hamas network and have
national borders be determined? expressed their opposition to Israel’s actions.
States such as Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, and
4. How will access to religiously significant Oman are trying to work toward more
cites be determined? moderate positions, and are currently working
5. How will terrorist acts be kept under on the normalization of their relations with
control and dealt with? Israel.
Recently, China has appointed a special
6. Should refugees be given the right of Middle East envoy, a move that is somewhat
return? If so, to which areas? If not, inconsistent with Chinese foreign policy.
would there be any compensation for the Turkey has conducted joint military operations
refugees? with Israel, and India is one of Israel’s biggest
7. Would this include descendants of markets. Furthermore, by offering economic,
refugees born outside of Israel? Should technical, and military support, Israel and
the UN definition of refugees be oil‐rich Arab states have been competing for
redefined? the support of the developing world.
The Quarter of Powers, which includes the
8. How will resources like water and arable UN, US, EU and Russia, were involved in the
land be distributed among the Israelis and delineation of the Road Map for Peace. These
Palestinians? powers are eager to see the conflict the Middle
9. What will become of the Israeli East come to a peaceful conclusion.
settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Historically, the US has shown strong support
strip? for Israel as one of their most important allies.
The US government has rejected talks with
10. If peace is reached, how can the agreed Hamas, classifying them as a terrorist
armistice lines be enforced? organization, and has also shown opposition to
11. How can both sides be guaranteed of the the right of return. Recently, however, the
fact that the other side will abide by the Obama administration has been urging Israel
agreement? to halt construction in the West Bank, while at
the same time encouraging continued
negotiations with the Palestinians. The EU
maintains a similar stance as the US.

General Assembly 27
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
writing the position paper is very helpful for
SUGGESTIONS you as it will promote your understanding of
the main policies of the country that you are
FOR FURTHER representing, including where your country
stands on the issue, what actions it has taken in

RESEARCH the past, and what it hopes to achieve in the


conference. Secondly, the position papers that
The issues discussed in this background are written by each delegation can prove to be
guide are current. It is very important that you very useful for other delegates as well; they
keep track of the news as conflicts may be enable delegates to find out more about the
changing every day, and new developments specific details of different countries’ policies
will definitely come about by the time of the regarding the topic of discussion, and will thus
conference. Articles of the New York Times promote better debate in committee. You
and BBC can be your best friends when it should take care in writing these position
comes to staying updated. Also keep in mind papers, making sure that they are clear and
the United Nations Website, which will update concise, and that they include the necessary
you on any recent resolutions or reports made information stipulated below.
on the issue. In addition, other news stations Position papers should include a header
that you might want to look at are the with the name of your country, your
Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera, as they can be committee and the topic that will be discussed.
helpful in providing different views on various They should be single-spaced, in Times New
issues. Roman size 12 font, and should be organized
Other helpful resources include the into three main parts. The first part should
following websites; please refer to the include a statement of the problem and what
bibliography for more information: your country sees as the most important
aspects of the topic. You should demonstrate
 Palestinian Center for Human Rights41 how the problem relates specifically to your
 Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs country and why it is something that you are
 Council on Foreign Relations hoping to talk about. The second part should
 Intelligence and Terrorism Information describe your country’s policies on the issue
Center and what action it has taken in the past, and
 Palestinian Authority the third section should delineate potential
 Mediterranean Politics solutions to the problem that your country
 Jewish Virtual Library would support. In certain cases, it’s possible
that you may not be able to find specific
 The Middle East Research and Information
information regarding what future solutions
Project
your country will support. If that is the case,
For a detailed account on how peace can
the best approach would be to research the
be achieved, you may also benefit from Alan
broader policies of your country and try to
Dershowitz’s ―The Case for Peace: How the
think of solutions of your own that you think
Arab-Israeli Conflict Can Be Resolved.‖
are relevant.

POSITION CLOSING
PAPERS REMARKS
Lincoln Model United Nations was
Position papers are a crucial part of a
developed to provide young individuals wBith
Model United Nations committee, as they
knowledge about international relations and
serve two very important purposes. Firstly,
General Assembly 28
SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
global issues, while at the same time offering that you invest for its preparation will
experience with diplomacy. The Harvard determine its success, for you and for other
Model United Nations conference targets a delegates. I understand that this may not be an
large group of high school students and easy task, but I am confident that you will rise
successfully accomplishes these goals with a to the challenge. In return, the dais staff
high level of organization, a devoted dais staff, promises to bring professionalism, enthusiasm,
and an outstanding secretariat. Most and dedication to the conference, and together,
importantly however, the success of LMUN we hope to make LMUN 2010 a truly
depends highly on you, the delegates. rewarding experience.
Your passion and interest about the topics Please feel free to contact me if you have
that are discussed in committee are what any questions or concerns, whether about your
stimulate the dynamic debate, promote the research, or any other aspect of the conference.
instructive atmosphere, and produce the I am always happy to help. I wish you the best
thoughtful resolutions that will come out of of luck with all of your endeavors throughout
this experience. The dedication and knowledge the year, and I look forward to meeting you at
that you bring to the conference and the time the.conference.

General Assembly 29

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