A Love Story: The United Nations and Israel

Posted by Ali Dahmash | Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | Labels: , , |
For a loving peace blog, hoping to see an end to the Middle East crisis in Palestine and Israel, and for the continuous calls for Arabs and their leaders to denounce violence and end the call for the destruction of Israel. I thought of a love story, a very clear straight forward one. It’s based on “I hate you, oh, I love you” basis. It’s the relation between Israel, the 60 year old country that was created in the land of the sons of Abraham that caused 500,000 sons to become refugees in 1948, and 5 Million in Diaspora in 2008 and the return of 5 Million sons of Abraham in 2008, confusing right?

This is the story of the UN resolutions that concerns Israel, Palestine and anything in between. These resolutions have never been implemented, they only remain ink on paper. They are only “statements of condemnations and regrets”; on the contrary of the story between the UN and Iraq, UN and North Korea, UN and Libya, where one of the partners in this relation was really really evil.

In this time where we denounce any act of terrorism on civilians, that I always support, we need to redefine the term “Terror”, which by the way there was a world summit in South Africa a few years ago, and the committee couldn’t define it properly as the Palestinian delegation and some Arab states had objected of not having Israel involved in the term “Terror”, still we need to look in the history of this conflict. How it happened? Why did it happen? This will give us a clear picture what Israel and Palestine should negotiate on and wither both sides are ready to give sacrifices so both their people would live a normal and safe life.

The following is the list of UN resolutions concerning the State of Israel: (wow, I didn’t even realize that much really existed!)

1. Resolution 42: The Palestine Question (5 March 1948) Requests recommendations for the Palestine Commission
2. Resolution 43: The Palestine Question (1 Apr 1948) Recognizes "increasing violence and disorder in Palestine" and requests that representatives of "the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the Arab Higher Committee" arrange, with the Security Council, "a truce between the Arab and Jewish Communities of Palestine...Calls upon Arab and Jewish armed groups in Palestine to cease acts of violence immediately."
3. Resolution 44: The Palestine Question (1 Apr 1948) Requests convocation of special session of the General Assembly
4. Resolution 46: The Palestine Question (17 Apr 1948) As the United Kingdom is the Mandatory Power, "it is responsible for the maintenance of peace and order in Palestine." The Resolutions also "Calls upon all persons and organizations in Palestine" to stop importing "armed bands and fighting personnel...whatever their origin;...weapons and war materials;...Refrain, pending the future government of Palestine...from any political activity which might prejudice the rights, claims, or position of either community;...refrain from any action which will endager the safety of the Holy Places in Palestine."
5. Resolution 48: The Palestine Question (23 Apr 1948)
6. Resolution 49: The Palestine Question (22 May 1948)
7. Resolution 50: The Palestine Question (29 May 1948)
8. Resolution 53: The Palestine Question (7 Jul 1948)
9. Resolution 54: The Palestine Question (15 Jul 1948)
10. Resolution 56: The Palestine Question (19 Aug 1948)
11. Resolution 57: The Palestine Question (18 Sep 1948)
12. Resolution 59: The Palestine Question (19 Oct 1948)
13. Resolution 60: The Palestine Question (29 Oct 1948)
14. Resolution 61: The Palestine Question (4 Nov 1948)
15. Resolution 62: The Palestine Question (16 Nov 1948)
16. Resolution 66: The Palestine Question (29 Dec 1948)
17. Resolution 72: The Palestine Question (11 Aug 1949)
18. Resolution 73: The Palestine Question (11 Aug 1949)
19. Resolution 89 (17 November 1950): regarding Armistice in 1948 Arab-Israeli War and "transfer of persons".
20. Resolution 92: The Palestine Question (8 May 1951)
21. Resolution 93: The Palestine Question (18 May 1951)
22. Resolution 95: The Palestine Question (1 Sep 1951)
23. Resolution 100: The Palestine Question (27 Oct 1953)
24. Resolution 101: The Palestine Question (24 Nov 1953)
25. Resolution 106: The Palestine Question (29 Mar 1955) 'condemns' Israel for Gaza raid.
26. Resolution 107: The Palestine Question (30 Mar)
27. Resolution 108: The Palestine Question (8 Sep)
28. Resolution 111: " ... 'condemns' Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people".
29. Resolution 127: " ... 'recommends' Israel suspends its 'no-man's zone' in Jerusalem".
30. Resolution 162: " ... 'urges' Israel to comply with UN decisions".
31. Resolution 171: " ... determines flagrant violations' by Israel in its attack on Syria".
32. Resolution 228: " ... 'censures' Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control".
33. Resolution 237: " ... 'urges' Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees".
34. Resolution 242 (November 22, 1967): Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area. Calls on Israel's neighbors to end the state of belligerency and calls upon Israel to reciprocate by withdraw its forces from land claimed by other parties in 1967 war. Interpreted commonly today as calling for the Land for peace principle as a way to resolve Arab-Israeli conflict
35. Resolution 248: " ... 'condemns' Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan".
36. Resolution 250: " ... 'calls' on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem".
37. Resolution 251: " ... 'deeply deplores' Israeli military parade in Jerusalem in defiance of Resolution 250".
38. Resolution 252: " ... 'declares invalid' Israel's acts to unify Jerusalem as Jewish capital".
39. Resolution 256: " ... 'condemns' Israeli raids on Jordan as 'flagrant violation".
40. Resolution 259: " ... 'deplores' Israel's refusal to accept UN mission to probe occupation".
41. Resolution 262: " ... 'condemns' Israel for attack on Beirut airport".
42. Resolution 265: " ... 'condemns' Israel for air attacks for Salt in Jordan".
43. Resolution 267: " ... 'censures' Israel for administrative acts to change the status of Jerusalem".
44. Resolution 270: " ... 'condemns' Israel for air attacks on villages in southern Lebanon".
45. Resolution 271: " ... 'condemns' Israel's failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem".
46. Resolution 279: " ... 'demands' withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon".
47. Resolution 280: " ... 'condemns' Israeli's attacks against Lebanon".
48. Resolution 285: " ... 'demands' immediate Israeli withdrawal form Lebanon".
49. Resolution 298: " ... 'deplores' Israel's changing of the status of Jerusalem".
50. Resolution 313: " ... 'demands' that Israel stop attacks against Lebanon".
51. Resolution 316: " ... 'condemns' Israel for repeated attacks on Lebanon".
52. Resolution 317: " ... 'deplores' Israel's refusal to release Arabs abducted in Lebanon".
53. Resolution 332: " ... 'condemns' Israel's repeated attacks against Lebanon".
54. Resolution 337: " ... 'condemns' Israel for violating Lebanon's sovereignty".
55. Resolution 338 (22 October 1973): cease fire in Yom Kippur War
56. Resolution 339 (23 October 1973): Confirms Res. 338, dispatch UN observers.
57. Resolution 347: " ... 'condemns' Israeli attacks on Lebanon".
58. Resolution 3379: "...'establishes' Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination". Repealed by Resolution 46|86.
59. Resolution 425 (1978): " ... 'calls' on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon". Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon was completed as of 16 June 2000.
60. Resolution 350 (31 May 1974) established the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the wake of the Yom Kippur War.
61. Resolution 427: " ... 'calls' on Israel to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon".
62. Resolution 444: " ... 'deplores' Israel's lack of cooperation with UN peacekeeping forces".
63. Resolution 446 (1979): 'determines' that Israeli settlements are a 'serious obstruction' to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention".
64. Resolution 450: " ... 'calls' on Israel to stop attacking Lebanon".
65. Resolution 452: " ... 'calls' on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories".
66. Resolution 465: " ... 'deplores' Israel's settlements and asks all member states not to assist Israel's settlements program".
67. Resolution 467: " ... 'strongly deplores' Israel's military intervention in Lebanon".
68. Resolution 468: " ... 'calls' on Israel to rescind illegal expulsions of two Palestinian mayors and a judge and to facilitate their return".
69. Resolution 469: " ... 'strongly deplores' Israel's failure to observe the council's order not to deport Palestinians".
70. Resolution 471: " ... 'expresses deep concern' at Israel's failure to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention".
71. Resolution 476: " ... 'reiterates' that Israel's claim to Jerusalem are 'null and void'".
72. Resolution 478 (20 August 1980): 'censures (Israel) in the strongest terms' for its claim to Jerusalem in its 'Basic Law'.
73. Resolution 484: " ... 'declares it imperative' that Israel re-admit two deported Palestinian mayors".
74. Resolution 487: " ... 'strongly condemns' Israel for its attack on Iraq's nuclear facility".
75. Resolution 497 (17 December 1981) decides that Israel's annexation of Syria's Golan Heights is 'null and void' and demands that Israel rescinds its decision forthwith.
76. Resolution 498: " ... 'calls' on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon".
77. Resolution 501: " ... 'calls' on Israel to stop attacks against Lebanon and withdraw its troops".
78. Resolution 508:
79. Resolution 509: " ... 'demands' that Israel withdraw its forces forthwith and unconditionally from Lebanon".
80. Resolution 515: " ... 'demands' that Israel lift its siege of Beirut and allow food supplies to be brought in".
81. Resolution 517: " ... 'censures' Israel for failing to obey UN resolutions and demands that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon".
82. Resolution 518: " ... 'demands' that Israel cooperate fully with UN forces in Lebanon".
83. Resolution 520: " ... 'condemns' Israel's attack into West Beirut".
84. Resolution 573: " ... 'condemns' Israel 'vigorously' for bombing Tunisia in attack on PLO headquarters.
85. Resolution 587 " ... 'takes note' of previous calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw".
86. Resolution 592: " ... 'strongly deplores' the killing of Palestinian students at Bir Zeit University by Israeli troops".
87. Resolution 605: " ... 'strongly deplores' Israel's policies and practices denying the human rights of Palestinians.
88. Resolution 607: " ... 'calls' on Israel not to deport Palestinians and strongly requests it to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention.
89. Resolution 608: " ... 'deeply regrets' that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians".
90. Resolution 636: " ... 'deeply regrets' Israeli deportation of Palestinian civilians.
91. Resolution 641: " ... 'deplores' Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinians.
92. Resolution 672: " ... 'condemns' Israel for "violence against Palestinians" at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.
93. Resolution 673: " ... 'deplores' Israel's refusal to cooperate with the United Nations.
94. Resolution 681: " ... 'deplores' Israel's resumption of the deportation of Palestinians.
95. Resolution 694: " ... 'deplores' Israel's deportation of Palestinians and calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return.
96. Resolution 726: " ... 'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of Palestinians.
97. Resolution 799: ". . . 'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of 413 Palestinians and calls for their immediate return.
98. Resolution 1559 (2 September 2004) called upon Lebanon to establish its sovereignty over all of its land and called upon Syria to end their military presence in Lebanon by withdrawing its forces and to cease intervening in internal Lebanese politics. The resolution also called on all Lebanese militias to disband.
99. Resolution 1583 (28 January 2005) calls on Lebanon to assert full control over its border with Israel. It also states that "the Council has recognized the Blue Line as valid for the purpose of confirming Israel's withdrawal pursuant to resolution 425.
100. Resolution 1648 (21 December 2005) renewed the mandate of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force until 30 June 2006.
101. Resolution 1701 (11 August 2006) called for the full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Some sources:

Wikipedia

UNresolutions

Jews Against The Occupation

14 comments:

In March 2007, the United States announced that for the second year in a row it would not to seek a seat on the Council because of its anti-Israeli bias and failure to scrutinize countries such as Cuba, Myanmar and North Korea. The United States will continue to have only an observer role.In May 2008, Richard Falk is scheduled to start work as the UN’s monitor of human rights violations by Israel in the Palestinian territories. He has no mandate to investigate Palestinian human rights abuses against Israelis. In addition, Falk comes to the position with a well-known bias, having compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians with Nazi treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.
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geovani

Social Marketing

4:00 PM

You know this 'love story' it goes nicely with the arabic proverb,
"3ayni fi wo tfuh 3alay"..

You should read Ghada Karmi's, "Married to Another Man- Israel's Dilemma in Palestine", if you haven't.

- Doudie

4:15 PM

Geovani, so now the US and the UN can't find a non biased person on this Earth, strange! What about fetching some facts from Palestine and Israel through out the past 60 years, isnt that a better method?

Doudie, thanks for sharing the book, Ill check it out for sure.

4:27 PM

The UN hates Israel, always has. But because it's toothless, and always has been, it can't act on its hatred.

The UN reminds me of the League of Nations, only more corrupt. ;-)

6:12 PM

Marvin, give me a reason why the UN hates Israel?

9:09 PM

Wow! I didn't know that the UN had mandated all of this. Thanks for providing this.

I don't know where to begin.

I do know that it is always a brawl whenever Israel and Palestinians are mentioned in the same sentence. If one defends Israel too much, then they are condoning murder, oppression and U.S. interference in the Middle East. If one even tries to say; well, let's face it, Israel has done some bad things to Palestinians, then that person is anti-semetic. It's a mess.

I made the mistake (well, I don't regret it, but it created a fight) of saying after Hamas got into power: well, the people spoke and we need to negociate with Hamas if we want to initiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians. I couldnt' believe the reaction. The elections were illegal. (Really, didn't the US call for them--were they legal until Fatah lost?) The Palestianians didn't want Hamas--they were forced. (Oh, I thought there were peacekeeping forces observing the elections--I may have the wrong one in mind, but wasn't Jimmy Carter there?) The Palestianians chose Hamas because there was no other good choices. (So what's your point? Isn't that the same case for American politics? Since when does anyone like who they vote for?)

Anyway, I decided that some fights will acheive nothing and I am now very careful when I discuss this in public.I can almost feel blood boiling in others.

Ali, what is your opinion of Hamas? Should Israel have negociated with them as they were legitamitely elected? At the same time, they wanted to see Israel destroyed? Am I just another naive American dumb bunny when I say that if an effort had been made, both sides could have compromised and found an agreement? If the goal is to create a state for Palestine, then wouldn't Hamas have negociated? If Israel wanted peace, wouldn't they have tried to negociate? Am I being stupid here?

Oh, I also said at this party that Americans should consider why Hamas was chosen--that should say something about how the Palestinians view their lives in terms of Israel. That did not go over well.

Let me be frank: Do you think Israel is interested in a Palestinian state? If the answer is yes, what is the evidence aside from Rabin? If the answer is no, then why would Israel want to continue like this--is it a need to oppress, is it out of obedience to the U.S. or do they really think that the Palestinians will eventually accept second class status?

I hope I haven't offended anyone.

11:11 PM

Check out how Olmert is saying that Israel should withdraw from occupied lands! So may be this why the UN does not like Israel, because it is doing some thing illega.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7T7vmthE2k

11:49 PM

Just remembered: Sharon did destroy settlements in the West Bank to a host of dismay. Does that connotate good faith on the part of Israel? Or is it a drop in the bucket against decades of oppression and disapora from the Palestinian perspective? Sharon took a lot of flak for what he did, and honestly I never expected it--he was always such a hawk. I assumed there was American pressure and American bonuses if he complied.

One day I will give you my opinion, such as it is, and possibly poorly informed, but I've never been comfortable with this peace process and I wonder if it is meant to be resolved by the more powerful players. I won't speak of it until I get a sense of what you think. In a less crazy work schedule, I will read some of your past blogs that may answer my questions.

5:06 AM

Enemy, Sharon dismantled Israeli colonies fro Gaza but not from the Occupied Territories in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Israeli pulled out of inside Gaza and redeployed around it to cage the Palestinians. It was un economical to keep their occupation of Gaza. Now they circled it and are suffocating it hoping that one million could simply drown in the sea.

5:53 AM

Marvin, Im surprised that you say that the UN hates Israel, how come these UN resolutions are only Ink on Paper and were never implemented, why the double standards? And we still wonder why the Palestinians don't like the Governments of the West? That's because they support Israel financialy and never push it around to implement the resolutions. While other countries, the UN resolutions are easily implemented either bt talks or wars (Gulf War, Iraq War, Libya Embargo, Iraq Embargo,et...)

anonymous, that was Olmert's tactics to show that he is a man of peace before he leaves the office. All Israeli PM's have the same techniquie as once they are out of the office their words are worthless. But when the PM of Israel mentions Occupation then it recognizes the unethical occupation.

American, you are 100% correct, its easier and cheaper to enforce the embargo and occupation from the outside, why bother with having soldiers inside the strip.

11:23 AM

American: My husband said the same thing you just did as we were trying to figure out Sharon's angle. And certainly recent events in the West Bank have born out your insight.

The whole thing is sickening. Maybe I am naive, but I think this could be solved rather easily if there was more of a commitment to honestly see both sides and work toward an accord. I think you wrote in an earlier blog, Ali, that the Arab nations don't care about the Palestinians--maybe I misread. I've wondered about that--if the Saudis stopped selling oil to America to pressure for a peace accord, would that have any influence? Again, I'm not trying to be stupid here, I think this issue will backfire on Israel and it bothers me that I, with NO political science background can see this and the players in the arena choose not to.

6:13 PM

Hi Ali,

Creative interpretation of the israel/UN relationship.

9:47 PM

Some people in the US government want to creat a league of democracies where the US rules! To get out of the grip of International Law some times the UN applies!

8:19 PM

EOR, yes Arab Nations don't care like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait that has huge investments in Europe and the US and that can affect US political decisions just like AIPAC. Even countires like Egypt would not let Aid vans enter the Gaza strip from their borders to supply the strip woth Medicine and food as not to upset Israel. In Lebanon Palestinians refugees born and living in Lebanon can't get any job except for cheap labor opportunities. And I would incude that both sides of the conflict are not serious with their peace processes.

Shawna, thanks but these are facts that are rarely mentioned in the media

10:36 AM

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