Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
Forum: Security Council Issue: Middle East crisis Student Officer: Jason Markatos Position: President PERSONAL INTRODUCTION Dear Delegates of this year’s PSMUN Security Council, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate you on achieving to be a delegate of such a prestigious committee. My name is Jason Markatos and I will serve as your President. In my career, I have attended more than ten conferences so far including two times in the Security Council itself as both a delegate and a Student Officer. In my career I have encountered the issue of Middle East crisis twice so far and as far as I can remember both these times the debate was really fruitful. It goes without saying that the Israeli‐
Palestinian conflict is one of the most controversial issues that the International Community has ever faced. Here to follow is a Study Guide which will provide you with the basic information that you will need in order to write your resolutions. Keep in mind though, that you will have to conduct further research on your own since this document does not delve into deep details that may as well be useful for the debate. I am looking forward to cooperating with you in the upcoming PSMUN conference, With regards, Jason Markatos INTRODUCTION TOPIC The Palestine‐Israeli conflict is one of the most heated and long‐lasting conflicts that humanity has ever faced. There is a historic claim from both sides to the land which lies between the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The last 100 years have been really difficult for the Palestinians, which have faced military‐occupation and colonization from a nation hostile to them and which they hold responsible for their suffering. PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 1 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
For the Jews, which have faced prosecution for many centuries and even had to experience the holocaust, the return to the land now called Israel has not brought peace either. They have faced many crises as their neighbors have sought to wipe their country off the map. This definitely makes up an ambivalent issue for the International Community since there are many countries supporting one of those sides, each one for their own reasons and ambitions. KEY TERMS PLO: Palestine Liberation Organization founded 1964 in Jordan and dominated by Syria. Led by Yasser Arafat, it has mounted attacks on Israeli‐occupied territory and has been involved in international terrorism. Hezbollah: A radical Shiite Muslim organization inLebanon engaged in guerrilla warfare against Israel. Intifada: A revolt which begun in December 1987 by Palestinian Arabs to protest Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hamas: A Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist movement engaged in grass‐roots organizing and armed resistance and terrorism against Israel. IDF: The Israeli Defense Force established in 1948 http://el.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=I.D.F Two‐state solution: The two‐state solution refers to a solution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict currently under discussion, which calls for "two states for two groups of people." The two‐state solution envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, west of the Jordan River. The boundary between the two states is still subject to dispute and negotiation, with Palestinian and Arab leadership insisting on the "1967 PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 2 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
borders", which is not accepted by Israel. The territory of the former Mandate Palestine which shall not form part of the Palestinian State shall be part of Israeli territory. HISTORICAL INFORMATION 1800s to World War II: The dream of returning to their biblical Promised Land led the Jews to the creation of a political movement, Zionism aiming at establishing a land in the region of Palestine in the Middle East. Geopolitics of Europe in the early 20s played contributed to a great instability overall. The British Empire, having a mandate over Palestine at that time, played a key role in the region. In order for the British Empire to manage to convince Arab leaders to fight against the Ottoman Empire in 1916, they promised them the creation of an Arab State which would include the region of Palestine. Instead, taking into consideration the support the Empire received from Jewish people, the British Foreign Minister announced “a Jewish national home in Palestine. ”This earmarked the beginning of the Middle East crisis that is even nowadays prevailing. Post World War II to 2000 After World War II, the United Nations recommended to split the region of Palestine into to states and make Jerusalem an international shared capital of both the governments of Palestine and Israel. The minority Jewish people received the majority of the land. The State of Israel was proclaimed on May 1948. However it was not recognized by the Arab states, which lead an unsuccessful attack against the Israeli army. Despite the UN guidelines, the nation of Palestine was not recognized nor was Jerusalem internationalized. In 1948 Palestinians were forced to PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 3 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
leave their homes and move to refugee camps in Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon etc. Nearly 750,000 Palestinians fled their country at that time. In 1967 Israel attacked Egypt, Syria and Jordan and captured important pieces of land from the West Bank to the Gaza strip. In the so called six‐day war Israel managed to double its size. Since then negotiations take annually place and UN resolutions are being adapted so as to return the land to the state it was before 1967. Six years late, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim their lost land. What this attack failed to achieve was achieved in 1978 through the Camp David accords, a document signed between Israel, Syria, Egypt and the US, which lead to the return of the region of Sinai back to Egypt on condition that Egypt would agree to maintain peace with Israel. In 1978, following the rising of Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon, Israel invaded the country. Four years later, Israel captured Beirut and a year after that Israel declared a strip out of South Lebanon to be a Security Zone; from which region Israeli troops withdrew in 2000. In 1980 came the Intifada‐the Palestinian uprising. The organization mainly consisted of amateurs and young Palestinians and therefore was literally crushed by the Israeli military, leaving many innocent civilians dead on both sides. In 1993 the Oslo Peace Accord achieved the recognition of the PLO by the Israeli government. In addition to this, Israel yielded Palestine limited autonomy in return for peace and an end in Palestinian claims on Israeli territory. A year later, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip and the region of Jericho. Unfortunately the peace didn’t last as long as expected since in 1996, Israeli forces bombed Lebanon for 17 days. Of course Hezbollah replied and the dispute reignited. According to the UN, Israel bombed later on an UN shelter killing about 100 civilians. 2000 To Present Day In May 2000 Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon but two years after that the Israeli army launched Operation Defensive Shield on West Bank as an answer to Palestinian suicide bombings, an operation which will remain in history as the largest military operation on West Bank since 1967. This was also the year in which the occlusion of the West Bank took place, an action which was issued illegal from the International Court of Justice in 2004. A year later, Israel withdrew all Jewish settlements along with military personnel from Gaza. In 2006, the organization known as Hamas wins Palestinian parliamentary elections and in the same year attacks from both sides escalated, reaching their peak in August with the incursion of Israel into Lebanon and the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War. In 2007, the first effort towards achieving a “two‐state‐solution” was mad in the Annapolis Conference. Unfortunately, Israel had different plans as it invaded Gaza a year later so as to prevent Hamas form launching rockets. In 2010 the talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority resumed but this time it was only to falter over PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 4 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
the question of settlements. In 2012, following Israel's killing of Popular Resistance Committees' leader Zohair al‐Qaisi, the clashes were renewed. Israel launched several military campaigns against Gaza‐based armed groups following months of escalating rocket attacks on Israeli towns. With the talks resuming once again, under US supervision this time, Israel agrees to release 104 prisoners. Still, tensions are in an all‐time‐high even to this day, with several attacks being performed by both sides at a high level of frequency. PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 5 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE Israel Israel is one of the two countries that are mostly involved in the Middle East conflict. It was the establishment of the Israeli State that led to the eruption of the conflict. Since then it has been involved in a fierce war with Hamas, the representative group of Palestinian people Palestinian National Authority The recognized Palestinian National Authority is the other party that is majorly involved in the aforementioned conflict. Two terrorist organizations are linked o this country, the Hamas and the Hezbollah. The war erupted in the first Intifada that was performed by Palestinians. UK UK used to have a mandate over Palestine and was the one who coordinated the flow of Jews in the Area back in 1948. Since then it has held a pro‐Zionist policy in the matter. UK itself has been in favor of negotiations. USA American policy during the Cold War tried to prevent Soviet Union influence by supporting anti‐communist regimes and backing Israel against Soviet‐sponsored Arab countries. Since then it has been a firm supporter of the Israeli side. Lebanon Lebanon houses a lot of refugee camps for Palestinian people who have lost their home. It also has a long history of dispute with Israel, taking into consideration the Six Days War and the Lebanon War. Jordan Jordan is the largest receiver of Palestinian refugees. Its policies are quite similar to those of Lebanon. It also played a huge part in the Six Days War. Relations between Jordan and Israel remain still heated. Egypt Although Egypt’s relations were extremely hostile to Israel and its participation in the Six Days War, after the Camp David Accords, Egypt has made peace with Israel without it meaning that it supports it. Egypt chooses to hold a rather neutral or pro‐ Palestinian stance. PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 6 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
Syria Syria has been a supporter of Palestine for many years and it also took part in the Six Days War. However due to the civil unrest currently in progress at the area, Syria has been inactive in the issue for a while. Notwithstanding this fact, it still holds strong sympathies for Palestine. TIMELINE EVENTS OF Year EVENTS Aug.29, 1897 Creation of World Zionist Organization July 24, 1922 The League of Nations grants UK a mandate to rule Palestine Aug.23‐ 14,1929 Anti‐Jewish riots in Palestine (150 Jews and Arabs dead) April 15, 1936 The Arab Revolt breaks out. Over the next three years, more than 1,000 Arabs and 400 Jews die in killings, bombings, and armed attacks, and in the efforts of British forces to stop the revolt. The Irgun, a Jewish underground armed group under the command of future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, announces the resumption of operations against British forces in Palestine. February 1, 1944 November The UNGA votes in favor of the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab section 29, 1947 May 13, 1948 The British Mandate in Palestine ends PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 7 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
May 15, 1948 The armies of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt invade Palestine January 7, 1949 The establishment of the first ceasefire May 29, 1964 The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is founded in Jerusalem November UN Security Council adopts Resolution 242, establishing the principle of exchanging territories occupied 22, 1967 in the Six Day War for peace with Israel. October 6‐ The Yom Kippur War 26, 1973 October 22, 1973 UN Security Council Resolution 338 is adopted, calling for direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab states. April 26, 1982 Israel withdraws its troops from the region of Sinai June 6, 1982 Israel invades Lebanon September Hundreds of Palestinians are massacred in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps outside Beirut. 16, 1982 December 9, 1987 Intifada erupts in West Bank and Gaza October 30, 1991 Middle East peace conference convenes in Madrid. PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 8 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
July 25, 1994 End of state of war between Israel and Jordan January 21, 1996 First Palestinian election. September Eruption of second Intifada 28, 2000 March 29, 2002 Israel invades Palestinian territories, reoccupies Palestinian cities January 25, 2006 Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections. July 12, 2006 The outbreak of Lebanon War September A UN study declared the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip "intolerable", with 75% of the 26, 2006 population dependent on food aid, and an estimated 80% of the population living below the poverty line June 7, 2007 Battle of Gaza began, resulting in Hamas taking control of the Gaza Strip from Fatah. November Annapolis Conference, a peace conference marked the first time a two‐state solution was 27, 2007 articulated as the mutually agreed‐upon outline for addressing the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict. The conference ended with the issuing of a joint statement from all parties. February 28, 2008 Operation "Hot Winter" was launched in response to rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The operation resulted in 112 Palestinians and three Israelis being killed. PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 9 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
May 2010 Gaza flotilla raid. Turkish activists with the Free Gaza flotilla tried to break Israel's naval blockade of Hamas‐controlled Gaza, but were intercepted by the IDF. When the IDF boarded the ship, the activists attacked them with knives and metal rods. Three Israeli soldiers were taken hostage, beaten, and abused. Nine Turks were shot dead by IDF gunfire. March 11, 2011 Itamar massacre. Two Palestinians infiltrated the town of Itamar and murdered five members of the Fogel family in their beds. Among the victims were three young children, including an infant. March 9‐ 15, 2012 March 2012 Gaza–Israel clashes. Gaza militants launched over 300 rockets, Grad missiles, and mortar shells into southern Israel, wounding 23 Israeli civilians. Israel retaliated with air strikes on Gaza weapons storage facilities, rocket launching sites, weapon manufacturing facilities, training bases, posts, tunnels and terror operatives, killing 22 militants. 4 Palestinian civilians died during the clashes, though some of their deaths were found to be unrelated to Israeli actions An increase of violence occurred in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict starting early September 2015, known as the "Wave of Terror" by Israelis or the "Knife Intifada" by international media, related in part to tensions between Palestinians and Israelis regarding the status of the Temple Mount. 2015 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS In considering this vital and rather ambivalent issue you would like to take into consideration the complexity of the issue and the countries involved in it, since all of them have some benefits to gain from the region and especially the more powerful countries won’t let go of their policy towards the Middle East conflict. You should always remember as well that since you are members of the UN it would be better for you to propose only peaceful solutions since a military intervention would probably do more harm than good at the moment. For these reasons there are some points that you might want to take into deep consideration when composing your resolution: The creation of an organization, which job will be to coordinate an annual meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to negotiate in order to ensure that negotiations won’t stop, The sending of peacekeeping troops in the area of Gaza and West Bank in order to ease tensions in these two areas and protect them from further military intervention, The organization of cultural events in order for both Palestinian and Israeli people to realize the things they have in common, The reduction of check point along the area of Gaza and the West Bank so that Palestinian people can move more freely, The signing of non aggression pacts between Israel and the neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, Bringing the two‐state solution on the table once again, PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 10 of 13
Platon School Model United Nations 2016 | 4th – 6th March 2016
These aforementioned solutions are just some of those that would be really effective, if passed, to solve the issue. However, these will not suffice keeping in mind that his conflict has been lasting for many years. It is now time for you, dear delegate, to brainstorm some ideas of your own. I would suggest you take a look at the following UN resolutions before you proceed with the writing of your resolution: Resolution 181: Recommending partition of the British Mandate for Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, and the City of Jerusalem Resolution 212: Assistance to Palestinian refugees Resolution 303(IV): International Regime for Jerusalem Resolution 394 (V): Calls for Arab‐Israeli peace negotiations, and a solution for Palestinian refugees. Resolution 660: Report of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) Resolution 997: Called for an immediate ceasefire in the Suez Crisis, an arms embargo on the area, and condemned Israel's participation in the conflict as a violation of the 1949 Israel‐Egypt General Armistice Agreement Resolution 999: Reaffirmed UN General Assembly Resolution 997 Resolution 1001: UN Force for Sinai Resolution 1122: The Suez Crisis Resolution 1237: The Situation in the Middle East UN Special Assembly Resolution 1875 Resolution 2252: Humanitarian assistance in the 1967 war Resolution 2628: Urges the speedy implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 242 and recognizes that "respect for the rights of the Palestinians is an indisputable element in the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East" Resolution 32/82: Calling for an establishment of a nuclear‐weapon‐free zone in the Middle East Resolution 42: The Palestine Question (5 March 1948) Requests recommendations for the Palestine Commission United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/225 Resolution 1701 called for the full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. BIBLIOGRAPHY https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_UN_resolutions_concerning_Israel_and_Pales tine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict_(2015%E2%80%93 present) http://www.npr.org/news/specials/mideast/history/timeline.html PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 11 of 13
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http://www.globalissues.org/article/119/the‐middle‐east‐conflict‐a‐brief‐background http://www.thefreedictionary.com/PLO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_policy_in_the_Middle_East http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intifada http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hamas http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/crisis‐in‐the‐middle‐east‐the‐end‐of‐a‐ country‐and‐the‐start‐of‐a‐new‐dark‐age‐9659379.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special_reports/middle_east_crisis http://www.mideastcrisis.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgfnS7qKCI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gex8DLrtTGM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two‐
state_solution http://www.bbc.com/news/world‐europe‐34193762 http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014240527487040502045762188423990531 76 http://www.jpost.com/Blogs/A‐Unified‐Israel‐is‐a‐Strong‐Israel/The‐most‐ obvious‐and‐
dangerous‐cause‐of‐conflict‐and‐instability‐in‐the‐Middle‐East‐is‐ the‐so‐called‐peace‐
process‐itself‐r1‐3903 PS‐MUN Study Guide |Page 12 of 13