Israel and the United Nations: A Long and Tumultuous Relationship
The Early Years:
Israel's relationship with the United Nations began with the organization's founding in 1945, just two years after Israel declared independence.
The UN played a role in the partition of British-controlled Palestine, which led to the creation of Israel.
However, the UN has also been critical of Israel's actions, including its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Six-Day War:
In 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, capturing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights.
The UN Security Council passed Resolution 242, calling for Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories and for a just and lasting peace.
Israel has not fully complied with Resolution 242, and the territories remain under Israeli occupation.
The Yom Kippur War:
In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Israel was initially caught off guard, but it eventually repelled the attack and regained the territories it had lost in the Six-Day War.
The war led to a new round of peace negotiations, but no lasting agreement was reached.
The Oslo Accords:
In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Oslo Accords, which established a framework for Palestinian self-government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The accords were a major breakthrough, but they also faced significant challenges, including continued violence and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
The peace process has been stalled since 2000, and the two sides remain far apart on a number of key issues.
The 2014 Gaza War:
In 2014, Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.
The war lasted for 50 days and resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians and 70 Israelis.
The UN condemned the excessive use of force by both sides and called for an independent investigation into the war.
The UN and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
The UN has been involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since its inception.
The organization has passed numerous resolutions on the conflict, but they have often been vetoed by the United States, Israel's closest ally.
The UN has also been criticized for its perceived bias against Israel, and some countries have accused it of being anti-Semitic.
Conclusion:
Israel's relationship with the UN has been complex and often contentious.
The UN has played a role in some of the major events in Israel's history, but it has also been critical of Israel's actions.
The future of the UN's relationship with Israel is uncertain, but the organization will likely continue to play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
