UNITED NATIONS #2

Also crucial to the International scene and probably of greater impact on world affairs; the Palestinians will be petitioning the United Nations for independent Statehood Status, including membership in the UN.  Should this be brought up in the General? Assembly they will be granted national recognition based on the pre-1967 war borders. 

The United Nations General Assembly consists of a majority of Arab and other Third World nations who in the past have demonstrated nothing but animosity toward the State of Israel. The vote the in that assembly will be indicative of political intent and not based on merit.

A brief history lesson is needed. After World War I the area that is known as Palestine was awarded to the British as a Mandate.  In 1947 United Nations’ Resolution 181 I divided the British mandate into an Israeli  Mandate and an Arab Mandate;  both to be administered by the United Nations. However, the Israeli immediately declared independence as a Nation.

Within a day Jordan with the aid of Syria and Iraq invaded and occupied the so-called Arab Mandate and the Egyptians occupied the Gaza Strip. What followed was the War of Independence. After an armistice was declared; Jordan occupied what is known as the West Bank.

In 1967 the Egyptians blockaded the Persian Gulf and amassed troops in the Sinai. At the same time the Jordanians with the Syrians and Iraqis began military movements along the border.  The Gulf blockage was an Act of War designed to cut Israel off from Ocean access. The Israelis in a preemptive strike defeated the Arab armies in what is known as the “Six Day War”.

It was at that time the present-day borders of Israel were defined to include all of Jerusalem. After 1967 when the Israelis occupy the city of Jerusalem they opened the city for worship to all religions preserving the sacred Arab site on the mount.  Recall, that the Jordanians had not only denied Jews from their Holy sites including the Wailing (West) Wall but had destroyed and desecrated all Synagogues in the City.

Once again no peace treaty was signed between any of the Arab Nations and Israel, only a fragile truth which lasted until 1973 when the Syrians/Iraqi and Egyptians attacked Israel without warning in the” Yom Kippur war. The Jordanians remained neutral. This war ended with a crushing defeat of the Arabs by an arminister with the Egyptians and a cease fire with the Syrians. At that time Israel occupied the Golan Heights and all of the Sinai to the Suez Canal after relinquishing control of captured Egypt west of the Canal.

Subsequently, after a peace treaty Israel returned all of the conquered Egyptian territory except the Gaza strip.

Unfortunately despite several aborted attempts there has been continuous conflict between the Arabs and Jews. The majority of it has been bombings and rocket attacks on Jewish civilians. This had resulted in counter military action by the Israelis against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah which is supported by Iran but based in Syrian controlled Lebanon.  

That is a very sketchy review of the history to date.

The Palestinians could deserve national status except for the fact that they have never acknowledge Israel's right to exist. Over the years after the creation of the state of Israel; people have forgotten that what is known as the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were supposed to be mandated territories. Jordan's annexation of the West Bank was unilateral and not part of the creation of the state of Israel.

First and foremost, indeed the 1947 refugees from Palestine have never been welcomed or absorbed by any of the Arab nations to which they fled. The refugee camps remain after 60 years. In fact they were subject in Jordan of its army’s military action several years ago.

The blame for the lack of peace lies in both parties. It is unfortunate that the present leadership in Israel has been motivated more by national politics than I vigorously seeking options conducive to peace. The Palestinians, especially those in the Gaza Strip have been more interesting in creating havoc in Israel on this pursuit of peace the frequent rocket attacks are directed at civilians, women and children, and not part of a military war however there is little or no international condemnation of such actions.

If the Palestinians request is first heard in the Security Council which is likelihood; the position of the United States will be critical. Since 1967 this country has been protect of Israel but the last demonstration has adopted a pro-Arab policy based on world politics and the near East. I what happens in the Security Council is going to be a test of the Obama government. This will be an interesting week to watch 50 impact potentially be world shaking.