After the outbreak of the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 07, 2023, it took the UN Security Council (UNSC) an elongated period of over 170 days to successfully pass a resolution with a 14-0 vote on March 25, calling for a ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territory. Although the global community welcomed the UNSC’s belated ceasefire appeal, the utterly reprehensible delay behind the move caused the loss of over 32,000 civilian lives. Needless to say, most of the deceased were Palestinian women and children under five years of age. Israel, a rogue state from its very beginning, still remains in denial mode, saying it is not morally obligated to end the ongoing conflict. As one would expect, Tel Aviv defied the UNSC resolution on the very first day by killing more than 85 Palestinians in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah on March 26.
This suggests the UN’s shallow plea for durable peace within the occupied territory of Palestine makes no difference for Israel, which has no regard for international law or human rights. Even if the UN is able to somehow implement the UNSC resolution in letter and spirit, the resolution, on the face of it, is not more than a short-lived cessation of hostilities in place of any permanent solution to the decades-old crisis. Whether Israel would abide by a specific UNSC resolution, the decision to comply with such resolutions typically depends on various factors, including the exact terms of the resolution, domestic political considerations within Israel, and the broader geopolitical context. Historically, Israel’s response to UN resolutions related to the conflict has varied. Some resolutions have been implemented, while others have been categorically rejected or ignored by Israel. Eventually, whether Tel Aviv abides by a particular UNSC resolution would depend on its own assessment of national interests, security concerns, and its interpretation of international law. And when it is seen through the prism of Israel’s belligerence, it would take only a raving lunatic to imagine an outlaw nation paying heed to such peace-building moves. Given Israel’s most shameful human rights record known to the international community, it almost beggars belief that Tel Aviv will abide by the UNSC resolution.
The strategic US silence behind the passing of the ceasefire resolution is a commendable initiative, as the situation reflects a significant humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed without any further ado. The delay in the UN Security Council’s response and the continued suffering and loss of human lives highlight the ongoing challenges and the necessity for concerted international efforts to achieve a peaceful solution in the region. However, Israel’s refusal to acknowledge moral obligations to end the conflict adds complexity to the situation. Although it is essential to nip this kind of international bullying in the bud, the role of Muslim countries in general and Arab nations in particular is, by itself, a big question mark about their miscued priorities. When asked about the prospects for recognizing Israel as a legitimate state, Khan Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, categorically rejected any such fanciful propositions, saying, “Our souls are not for sale.” One wonders when Islamic countries will ever rise to the occasion to talk to Tel Aviv in a language it can only understand.
Syed Jawaid Iqbal
President & Editor in Chief