The United Nations is gearing up for a significant meeting on Monday to discuss the two-state solution concerning Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, this meeting comes as tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups have increased dramatically. Things got even worse the next day, when an Israeli airstrike flattened the headquarters of UNRWA in Gaza. The UN’s role in the region started way back in 1947. Instead, that year, the organization chose to endorse a plan to create separate Jewish and Arab states in the British-controlled territory of Palestine.
International pressure is mounting. In response, Israel has accused the UNRWA of cooperating with Hamas, which complicates the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza even more. The Israeli ambassador to the UN has openly criticized the organization, famously shredding a copy of the UN Charter while labeling it a “terror organization” during a General Assembly session last May. The UN is already working to help end the nearly 80-year long conflict in Gaza. Yet now these distressing strides are eclipsing their efforts.
Here’s the big caveat, according to some experts like Richard Gowan — even with a retreating UN, it still has an important role to play. “Most countries don’t get invited to the G20, they don’t get invited to the BRICS or the G7 and for those countries, the UN is still a space that really matters,” said Laura Tingle, highlighting its importance as a platform for smaller nations.
Historical Context of UN and Israel
Its mission, like that of the United Nations itself, was to promote peace and prevent conflict. It was designed to promote cooperation in the wake of a World War II. One of its first acts was to propose the UN’s own partition plan for Palestine. Under this plan, two independent Jewish and Arab states would be established. This ambitious undertaking was an important turning point in the world of international relations that created a world of tension and continued negotiation for years to come.
Out of this historical context Israel emerged, with absolutely no one but the UN to hold them back. It truly represented the ideals described in a charter. As tensions have escalated over the years, many Israelis and their American supporters have condemned the UN for being anti-Israeli. The increasing power and presence of the Arab voting bloc at the UN has created this impression. They often push for floor resolutions that bluster at Israel.
Richard Gowan noted, “I think what we’ve got used to over the last 35 years since the end of the Cold War is a much more expansive, a much more ambitious UN.” He cautions that lofty ambitions should be recalibrated as geopolitical dynamics shift.
Current Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
This latest destruction of the UNRWA headquarters spotlights the worsening humanitarian crisis that Palestinians in Gaza are facing. As violence and blockades continue, the ability for humanitarian organizations to deliver assistance, including food, water, and medical supplies, has been critically impeded. The UN has been actively engaged in relief efforts, but as Gowan points out, “The UN is going to be feeding fewer people, sheltering fewer people, vaccinating fewer people, and that is going to make some very unhappy places even worse off.”
The crisis has caused countries around the world to respond with bold measures. During the upcoming UN meeting, Australia and other countries will make official steps toward recognizing Palestine. This move is expected to generate further debate about the long-standing two-state solution and how to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Ilan Pappé, who has long sounded alarms about Israeli practices that he feels have led to a more dangerous reality. He stated, “Isolation isn’t fate, it’s the product of the wrong and failing policies of Netanyahu and his government.” This is indicative of a shift among critics who say recent leadership is making the humanitarian crisis even worse.
The Role of Global Governance
As negotiations drag on at the United Nations, questions remain about its ability to effectively respond to the deepening global crises. The new home for the next UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil introduces a fresh one. Political discord within the European Union will almost certainly cause the bloc to miss key deadlines. According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron is in the drivers seat delaying the vote on targets for 2035 and 2040. His impact looms large over this divisive equation.
To her, the UN has always set the most ambitious possible goals on the global governance stage. It should reconsider its approach. “I think we’re entering a period where the UN is going to have to shrink its ambitions,” he remarked. This may result in reduced participation in peacebuilding and emergency response missions.
Counterintuitively, despite all these challenges some of Israel pre-eminent leaders keep banging the drum here for the robust military capabilities. Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed the importance of developing local weapons industries and has made bold declarations about Israel’s position in regional politics. “We’re going to be Athens and super Sparta,” he asserted, indicating a commitment to military strength.
