ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
It is with great respect and a deep sense of duty that we address you today as the session of the United Nations General Assembly Historical Committee commences, set in the significant year of 1948. As we step back into this crucial moment in history, we must use the lessons from the past to guide our current discussions and help shape a future that is peaceful and fair for everyone.
Our agenda is centered on the important issue of the formation of the State of Israel and the situation in the Middle East. As we explore the details of this conflict, we must conduct our discussions with empathy, an open mind, and a dedication to finding solutions that are fair and lasting. We need to listen to and respect the concerns and hopes of all those involved, and we should work hard to encourage conversation, understanding, and healing.
We trust that your commitment, insight, and persistence will enable us to meet the challenges we face and make a real difference in achieving a just and enduring resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.
We look forward to engaging in discussions and the positive results of our shared efforts.
The procedure to be followed under this committee shall be the UNA-USA procedure. Unlike the regular UNGA that primarily addresses contemporary issues, this Committee operates under a distinct jurisdiction of history. All discussions within the Historic Committee are firmly rooted in the historical context of the pre-May 15, 1948 period. Only facts, documents, and information predating May 15, 1948, are deemed admissible within the committee's proceedings. Delegates are required to rely solely on historical records and evidence from this specific timeframe. Its sole purpose is to revisit and analyze events, decisions, and challenges that occurred on or before May 15, 1948. This committee aims to provide a thorough examination of historical events, offering insights into their complexities and their relevance to contemporary global affairs. By focusing on the past, delegates seek to gain a deeper understanding of the present and inform future actions. THE AGENDUM
It encapsulates the immediate aftermath of Israel's declaration of independence and the
ensuing hostilities with neighboring Arab states. Drawing upon historical knowledge, the committee will engage in strategic negotiations and diplomatic initiatives aimed at mitigating the conflict's escalation and fostering pathways toward peace and stability in the region.
Historical Context The conflict between the Middle East and Israel is deep-rooted in historical, political, and religious tensions. Several key factors have contributed to this context: 1. British Mandate and Withdrawal: The British Mandate for Palestine, which had been in place since 1920, was coming to an end. Britain had announced its intention to withdraw from Palestine, leading to a power vacuum and uncertainty about the future governance of the region. The withdrawal of British forces created an opportunity for the establishment of a Jewish state, as advocated by the Zionist movement. 2. Zionist Movement and Jewish Immigration: The Zionist movement, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, had gained momentum throughout the first half of the 20th century, culminating in the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. Jewish immigration to Palestine increased, particularly in the years leading up to World War II and during the Holocaust, as Jews sought refuge from persecution in Europe. This influx of Jewish immigrants intensified tensions with the Arab population, who opposed Jewish immigration and the establishment of a Jewish state on land they considered their own. 3. Arab Nationalism and Opposition to Zionism: Arab nationalism was on the rise in the Middle East, fuelled by a desire for independence from colonial powers and a sense of pan-Arab solidarity. Arab leaders rejected the idea of a Jewish state in Palestine, viewing it as a threat to Arab sovereignty and the rights of the Palestinian Arab population. The Arab League, formed in 1945, was vocal in its opposition to Zionism and pledged to prevent the establishment of a Jewish state by any means necessary. 4. The Arab-Israeli War, or the ‘War of Independence’: The following day, on May 15th, 1948, several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, launched a military intervention in Palestine, seeking to prevent the establishment of the newly declared state of Israel and to support Palestinian resistance.
The conflict that ensued involved both conventional warfare between the newly formed Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and the Arab armies, as well as irregular warfare involving various paramilitary groups. The conflict resulted in the significant displacement of Palestinian Arabs, as well as Jewish populations from Arab countries. The outcome of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War had far-reaching consequences, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. It is, however, important to note that as of May 15th, the war has only just been declared. SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL AGREEMENTS AND DECLARATIONS
1. Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916): This secret agreement between Britain and France during World War I proposed the division of Ottoman territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence. The agreement drew arbitrary boundaries without regard for ethnic or religious considerations, which later contributed to regional tensions and conflicts.
2. Balfour Declaration (1917): Issued by the British government, this declaration
expressed support for establishing a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. Though it did not explicitly mention a Jewish state, it laid the groundwork for future Zionist aspirations.
3. San Remo Conference (1920): Following World War I, the Allied powers met in San Remo, Italy, and adopted the San Remo Resolution, which incorporated the Balfour Declaration into international law. It allocated the mandate for Palestine to Britain with the explicit understanding of creating a Jewish homeland.
4. League of Nations Mandate for Palestine (1922): Based on the San Remo Resolution, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine, with a specific provision to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish national home.
5. The Peel Commission Report (1937): In response to the Arab Revolt of 1936-1939, the British government established the Peel Commission to investigate the causes of the unrest. The commission recommended the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with an economic union, but both sides rejected the proposal.
6. White Paper of 1939: This policy statement issued by the British government severely restricted Jewish immigration to Palestine at a time when Jewish refugees from Europe sought refuge. It marked a significant setback for Zionist aspirations.
7. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 (1947): Following the end of the British mandate, the United Nations proposed a partition plan that would create separate Jewish and Arab states in Palestine, along with an internationalized Jerusalem. The plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, leading to the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.
8. Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel (1948): On May 14, 1948, Jewish leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, declared the establishment of the State of Israel, marking the culmination of decades of Zionist efforts. This declaration followed the termination of the British mandate and led to immediate recognition by several countries. TIMELINE AND KEY DATES
● November 29, 1947: The UN General Assembly passes UN Resolution 181, which calls for the partition of Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
● November 30, 1947: Palestinian Arabs ambush a bus carrying Jewish passengers near Lod (Lydda), an attack often cited as the start of the civil war in Palestine.
● December 2, 1947: The Arab Higher Committee, the leading organizer of the Palestinian Arab nationalist movement in Jerusalem, announces a three-day strike against the partition plan. Riots break out in the city, and violence between Arabs and Jews escalates.
● April 5, 1948: The Haganah, the foremost of the Jewish paramilitaries, launches Operation Nachshon to open the road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
● April 9, 1948: Jewish paramilitaries destroy Deir Yassin, a Palestinian Arab village that overlooks the main passageway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. About 100 people are killed, although contemporary reports from both Jewish and Arab sources counted a higher number.
● April 13, 1948: Palestinian Arabs attack a convoy en route to Rothschild-Hadassah
University Hospital in Jerusalem, killing some 80 Jews.
● May 14, 1948: Israel declares independence hours before the British mandate ends and British forces withdraw from Palestine.
● May 15, 1948: Arab forces from Egypt, Transjordan (Jordan), Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon invade. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why were there tensions between Jews and Arabs in the first place? The roots of Jewish-Arab tensions trace back thousands of years. In ancient times, both Jews and Arabs inhabited the same region, including what is now Israel, Palestine, and surrounding areas. The city of Jerusalem, in particular, held profound religious significance for both Jews and Muslims, leading to competition and conflict over control of the city and its holy sites. The rise of Islam in the 7th century brought Arab conquests to the Middle East, leading to the Arabization of the region and the spread of Islam. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of modern nationalist movements among both Jews and Arabs. Zionism, a Jewish nationalist movement seeking to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, clashed with Arab nationalism, which sought independence from Ottoman and European colonial rule. During this period, tensions between Jewish and Arab communities intensified, fuelled by conflicting national aspirations, land disputes, and immigration policies.
Q. How, when, and why did the British become involved in the Middle East? During World War I, the British Empire sought to undermine the Ottoman Empire, which was allied with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The British government, led by figures like Sir Henry McMahon and Sir Mark Sykes, made promises to various groups in the region in exchange for their support against the Ottomans. These included the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, in which the British pledged support for Arab independence in exchange for Arab revolt against the Ottomans, and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which divide the Ottoman territories into British and French spheres of influence. In November 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration was partly influenced by Zionist lobbying and British strategic interests in gaining Jewish support for the Allied cause during World War I. However, the declaration significantly influenced the Arab-Israeli conflict that was to come.
Q. As of May 15th, 1948, what has happened in the Israeli-Arab Conflict?
After the Arabs had fought for decades for self-determination in Palestine and protested the high volume of immigration allowed by the British, the UN Resolution 181’s partition plan placed many Palestinian Arab villages under a future Jewish state. The largest urban concentrations of Palestinian Arabs, Jaffa and Haifa, were separated from the Arab state that was envisioned by the plan. Nearly half of the population under the Jewish state were Palestinian Arabs. Hence, in December 1947 Palestinian Arabs set out on a campaign to secure Arab rule over the Arab towns and villages. Lacking a central command structure or the manpower or preparedness of the Jewish paramilitaries, the disorganized Palestinian Arab offensive was largely repelled. In April 1948, Jewish paramilitaries launched a counteroffensive to secure the area allotted to the Jewish state as well as the road to Jerusalem (Operation Nachshon). Paramilitary forces from the Irgun Zvai Leumi and the Stern Gang (also called Lehi), acting independently of Ben-Gurion’s direction, attacked the Arab village of Deir Yassin, which overlooked the Highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and killed about 100 of its inhabitants. Jewish forces then took control of Tiberias (April 18), Haifa (April 21–22), Safed (May 10), and Jaffa (May 13), leading to the displacement of some of the Palestinian Arabs’ largest urban populations. By mid-May, some 250,000–300,000 Palestinian Arabs had left or been expelled from their homes. The Arab front had collapsed, Palestinian Arab communities were being depopulated, and the British forces that had governed Palestine for decades were withdrawing despite the chaos. On May 14, the eve of the British withdrawal, Israel declared its independence. The following day, the armies of Egypt, Transjordan (Jordan), Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon invaded and attacked the Jewish paramilitaries, carrying out a decision that the Arab League had made weeks before. While the Arab armies had modern artillery and armored vehicles, less than two-thirds of the fighters in the Haganah were armed. POTENTIAL METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
1. Negotiation and Diplomacy: Diplomatic negotiations aimed at reaching a peaceful
resolution to the conflict through dialogue and compromise. This could involve direct talks between Israeli and Arab representatives, as well as mediation efforts by third-party actors such as the United Nations or major world powers.
2. Ceasefires and Truces: Implementation of temporary ceasefires and truces to halt
hostilities and create space for diplomatic efforts to take place. Ceasefire agreements could include provisions for the withdrawal of troops, the establishment of demilitarized zones, and the supervision of ceasefire lines by neutral observers. This could involve the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to monitor ceasefires and provide humanitarian assistance.
3. Humanitarian Aid and Assistance: Provision of humanitarian aid and assistance to
alleviate the suffering of civilians affected by the conflict, including refugees and displaced persons. This could include the delivery of food, medical supplies, shelter, and other essential services to populations in need, as well as support for reconstruction and development efforts in war-torn areas.
4. Refugee Resettlement and Compensation: Development of plans for the resettlement
of Palestinian refugees displaced by the conflict, as well as mechanisms for providing compensation for lost property and livelihoods. This could involve international assistance and support for the rehabilitation and integration of refugees into their host communities or the establishment of new homes elsewhere.
5. Multilateral Peace Conferences: Convening of multilateral peace conferences bringing
together all relevant parties to discuss and negotiate a comprehensive peace settlement. These conferences could address core issues such as borders, security arrangements, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood, and the rights of refugees, to reach a final and sustainable peace agreement.
6. Transitional Justice Mechanisms: Establishing transitional justice mechanisms to
address past injustices, promote accountability, and facilitate reconciliation between the parties. This could include truth and reconciliation commissions, reparations programs, memorialization efforts, and initiatives to promote historical understanding and empathy among communities affected by the conflict.
7. Regional Cooperation Initiatives: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
among Middle Eastern countries as a means of building trust, promoting economic development, and addressing common challenges. Regional cooperation initiatives could include joint economic projects, cultural exchanges, and security partnerships aimed at fostering mutual understanding and stability in the region.
8. Track One and a Half Diplomacy: Utilizing a hybrid approach that combines elements of both official government diplomacy (Track I) and unofficial citizen diplomacy (Track II). Track One and a Half diplomacy involves semi-official dialogue initiatives that involve government representatives working alongside non-governmental actors, academics, and experts to explore innovative solutions to the conflict. CONCLUSION
In reflecting on the historical context of tensions preceding May 14th, 1948, it is clear that the conflict between the Middle East and Israel did not emerge in isolation, but rather evolved from centuries of complex interactions shaped by historical, religious, cultural, and geopolitical factors. Moving forward as a global community, it is imperative to recognize the multifaceted nature of the conflict and search for sustainable solutions that address the root causes of tension. This requires a comprehensive approach that considers the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all parties involved, while also acknowledging the historical injustices and human suffering endured throughout the conflict.
Literature: ● "The Arab-Israeli Wars: War and Peace in the Middle East" by Chaim Herzog ● "1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War" by Benny Morris ● "The Birth of Israel: Myths and Realities" by Simha Flapan ● "Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001" by Benny Morris
