1. LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.......................................................................

2
2. WHAT IS THE DISEC?.......................................................................................................... 2
3. WAR PRECEDENTS...............................................................................................................2
3.1. PRE-STATE ISRAEL (1897-1947).................................................................................... 2
3.2. ARAB-ISRAELI WARS AND PEACE ATTEMPTS (1947-1979).....................................5
3.3. PEACE PROCESS AND TERRORISM (1982-PRESENT)................................................8
4. PALESTINE AND ISRAELI CONFLICT............................................................................... 13
4.1. MAIN EVENTS................................................................................................................... 14
4.2. THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE CONFLICT.................................................................... 17
5. POSITIONS......................................................................................................................... 19
5.1. STATE OF ISRAEL............................................................................................................. 19
5.2. STATE OF PALESTINE...................................................................................................... 19
5.3. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA........................................................................................19
5.4. PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA..................................................................................... 20
5.5. RUSSIAN FEDERATION....................................................................................................20
5.6. ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT.............................................................................................20
5.7. REPUBLIC OF LEBANON.................................................................................................. 21
5.8. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES............................................................................................... 21
5.9. SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC....................................................................................... 22
5.10. FRENCH REPUBLIC.............................................................................................. 22
5.11. REPUBLIC OF TURKEY......................................................................................... 23
5.12. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND................ 23
6. STUDY ORIENTATIONS..................................................................................................... 23
7. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS................................................................................................. 23
7.1. DISEC STAFF......................................................................................................................24
7.2. PMUN STAFF......................................................................................................................24

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1. LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dear Delegates,
I welcome you all to the Disarmament and International Security Committee with
great pleasure. Hopefully everyone can enjoy this experience fully and learn a lot
during the process. Our team can’t wait to meet you in the second edition of the
Pentágono Model United Nations! This study guide was produced with a lot of
dedication to help you prepare for the debate and do your best to find a resolution to
the topic in discussion.
The theme chosen by us was the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, which is one of the
most entrenched and complex geopolitical issues in modern history, so it must be
approached carefully and diligently by all. This conflict has roots dating back to the
late 19th and early 20th century as both Jewish and Arab populations sought
self-determination, that way, many points of view and historical events are implied in
it. Thereby, the delegations must take into account the many facets of this issue in
order to find ways of standing out on the debate, always keeping a respectful
environment.
​ I believe that the individual research is extremely important to your
performance the day of our simulation. Alongside the reading of this guide, this
external knowledge you gain is exceedingly beneficial and enriches the discussion on
the matter. In this study guide, we collected the information we judge essential to
contextualize the conflict between Israel and Palestine which we witness nowadays.
As the director of DISEC (and someone that participated as a delegate last year)
I am thrilled to have you all choose our committee. We are at your disposal to help you
through this process and answer any questions you may have. I wish all delegates a
great research and an amazing day at the simulation!

2. WHAT IS THE DISEC?

DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee) is the First Committee of

the United Nations General Assembly. Established in 1945 with the end of the Second
World War, it was formed to respond to the need for an international forum to discuss
peace and safety after the failure of the League of Nations.
The First Committee holds no power of action but rather its resolutions to the debated
topic are a suggestion of action. With that in mind it is a recommendatory organization
and one of the most important General Assembly committees.
This committee addresses and deals with issues that are related to disarmament
challenges and global security as well as threats to international peace and the
regularization of the States armaments, aiming to maintain a global stability with
countries' low levels of armaments.

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3. WAR PRECEDENTS

3.1. PRE-STATE ISRAEL (1897-1947)

3.1.1. FIRST ZIONIST CONGRESS (1897)

The Zionist movement, founded by Theodor Herzl and other leaders, advocated for
the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Widespread antisemitism and
persecution of Jewish communities in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
served as a major catalyst for the Zionist movement. Jews faced discrimination,
violence, and pogroms, a violent organized riot or attack directed at Jews, in many
parts of Europe, which fueled the desire for a safe and secure homeland. The First
Zionist Congress was held in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, where Herzl and other
prominent figures in the Zionist movement discussed and debated their vision for the
establishment of a Jewish state.
The Zionist movement under Theodor Herzl was historically significant because it
marked the birth of modern political Zionism. Herzl advocated for a Jewish homeland,
organized the First Zionist Congress, and played a central role in shaping the
intellectual and political foundations of the movement. His vision influenced Jewish
identity and led to diplomatic efforts that eventually contributed to the establishment
of the State of Israel. Herzl's legacy as a visionary and advocate for Jewish
self-determination remains a fundamental part of Israel's history and ideology.

3.1.2. THE BALFOUR DECLARATION

Britain, during World War I, expressed its support to establish a national home for
the Jewish people in Palestine under the Balfour Declaration, in order to gain their
support. It was the first recognition by a major international power of Jewish national
aspirations, which had a profound impact on international diplomacy, contributed to
the end of Ottoman rule in the region, and shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by
laying the groundwork for competing national claims in Palestine. It remains a pivotal
historical document in the context of the region's complex history and ongoing
discussions about its future.
However, the British had also promised Arab nationalists that a united Arab
country, covering most of the Arab Middle East, would result if the Ottoman Turks
were defeated. British troops took control of the territory from the Ottoman Empire in
late 1917 and neither promise was delivered.

3.1.3. JEWISH IMMIGRATION

From 1918 to 1947 the jewish population in Palestine increased from 6% to 33%.

3.1.3.1. BEFORE WW2

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 In 1920, Britain assumed responsibility for Palestine under a League of Nations
Mandate, which was a form of occupation. During the next two decades, over 100,000
Jews entered the country.
Violence reached a height with the Arab Revolt of 1936-39, which was a period of
intense Arab resistance and rebellion against British colonial rule and Jewish
immigration in the Mandate of Palestine. It was triggered by several factors, including
Arab frustrations over land dispossession, Jewish immigration, and economic
disparities. The revolt involved widespread strikes, demonstrations, and acts of civil
disobedience by Arab residents in the region. In response, the British authorities
imposed curfews, conducted military operations, and arrested numerous Palestinian
activists.
Meanwhile, Zionist organizations continued to campaign for a homeland for Jews in
Palestine. Armed Zionist militias started to attack the Palestinian people, forcing them
to flee.

3.1.3.2. DURING/POST WW2

The Holocaust had a major impact on the situation in Palestine. During the Second
World War (1939-45), the British restricted the entry into Palestine of European Jews
escaping Nazi persecution. They had imposed a limit on Jewish immigration in the
summer of 1939, anxious to end the disturbances in Palestine and to secure the
support of the Egyptians and oil-rich Saudis ahead of the looming conflict in Europe.
This policy provoked armed Jewish resistance, and eventually united those who
looked to Britain for help in establishing their national homeland (the Haganah) and
those who wished to use terrorism to drive the British out.

3.1.3.3. REFUGEES

After the Second World War, 250,000 Jewish refugees were stranded in displaced
persons camps in Europe. Despite the pressure of world opinion - in particular the
repeated requests of US President Harry Truman - the British refused to lift the ban on
immigration and admit 100,000 Jews to Palestine.
The Jewish underground forces now united. The Haganah had resisted attacking
the British as long as they were fighting Nazi Germany. Now, their fighters allied
themselves with Irgun and carried out several raids against the British.

3.1.4. CREATION OF HAGANAH

The Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary organization that played a significant role
in the defense of Jewish communities in British Mandate Palestine.
Initially formed to protect Jewish communities from local Arab attacks, the Haganah
later evolved into one of the main military organizations in the Jewish community in
the lead-up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. After the establishment
of the state, the Haganah became the foundation for the Israel Defense Forces.

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 3.1.5. HEBRON MASSACRE

The 1929 Hebron massacre was a violent event in the city of Hebron in British
Mandate Palestine, occurring in August 1929. Arab residents attacked the Jewish
community, resulting in the deaths of approximately 67 Jewish residents, including
women and children, and injuries to many others.
The violence had its roots in long-standing tensions between Jewish and Arab
communities and had a profound impact on the relations between the two
communities in Palestine. The massacre led to the end of Jewish presence in Hebron,
one of the holiest cities in Judaism that dated back thousands of years. The Jewish
community did not return till after the 1967 Six-Day War.

3.1.6. PEEL COMMISSION (1936)

This was a British investigative commission formed to examine the causes of the
1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine.
It resulted in the first recommendation to partition Palestine into separate Jewish
and Arab states, offering one of the first official proposals for a two-state solution.

3.1.7. WHITE PAPER (1939)

A British policy statement that limited Jewish immigration and land acquisition in
Palestine.
This had a significant impact by restricting the ability of Jews to escape the
Holocaust and return to their ancestral homeland to establish a Jewish state. It also
contributed to tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine,
furthering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

3.1.8. NAKBA

Leading up to Israel’s birth in 1948, more than 750,000 Palestinians were ethnically
cleansed from their homes by Zionist militias. This mass exodus came to be known as
the Nakba or catastrophe.
A further 300,000 Palestinians were displaced by the Six-Day War in 1967.
Israel declared the annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980, but the international
community still considers it an occupied territory. Palestinians want East Jerusalem
as the capital of their future state.

3.2. ARAB-ISRAELI WARS AND PEACE ATTEMPTS (1947-1979)

3.2.1. UN RESOLUTION 181

As violence ravaged Palestine, the matter was referred to the newly formed United
Nations. In 1947, the UN adopted Resolution 181, which called for the partition of

5
Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, handing over about 55 percent of the land to
Jews. Arabs were granted 45 percent of the land, while Jerusalem was declared a
separate internationalized territory. This resolution led to the establishment of Israel
but was met with rejection by Arab states, sparking the Arab-Israeli War of
1948-1949.

3.2.2. ISRAEL’S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE (1948)

Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. The declaration was followed by
an invasion by neighboring Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and
Lebanon. The war resulted in Israel's survival and expansion of territory.
The war led to the establishment of the State of Israel as it successfully defended
itself from the invasion of the surrounding Arab countries. Upon its declaration, Israel
gained international recognition from various countries, including the United States
and the Soviet Union - the world’s two major superpowers at the time. This lent it
international support and legitimacy. It also marked the beginning of the Arab-Israeli
conflict and resulted in the displacement of an estimated 700,000-800,000 Palestinian
Arabs to many surrounding Arab countries. Many Palestinian Arabs also remained
within Israel’s newly formed borders, comprising over 20 percent of Israel’s
population today. The war defined the borders of Israel and had far-reaching
consequences for regional politics, diplomacy, and future conflicts in the Middle East.
It remains a pivotal event in the history of the region.

3.2.3. SUEZ CRISIS (SINAI WAR-1956)

Israel, along with Britain and France, invaded Egypt in response to Egyptian
President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal. International
pressure, including from the United States and the Soviet Union, forced the
withdrawal of the invading forces.
The war had far-reaching implications for global diplomacy, including the decline of
traditional colonial powers - the UK and France. For the Middle East, it boosted
Egyptian nationalism under President Gamal Nasser, who increased tensions with
Israel, eventually leading to the 1967 Six-Day War.

3.2.4. CREATION OF THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION

ORGANIZATION (1964)

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in 1964 during an Arab
League Summit in Cairo, Egypt, to represent Palestinian aspirations for the
destruction of Israel, self-determination, and a state. Initially led by Ahmed Shukeiri,
the PLO later embraced armed struggle, terrorism, and later diplomacy as a means to
achieve its goals. Yasser Arafat became a prominent leader and became the face of
the PLO and the Palestinian movement until his death in 2004. Mahmoud Abbas
succeeded him.

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 The beginning of the PLO signaled the creation and formalization of the Palestinian
national movement. For decades, the PLO was dedicated to terrorism against Israelis.
In a historic move, in 1988 the PLO accepted the notion of two states for two peoples
which eventually helped pave the way for the 1993 Oslo peace process.

3.2.5 SIX-DAY WAR (1967)

The Six-Day War, which lasted from June 5 to June 10, 1967, was a brief but intense
conflict in the Middle East. It was primarily between Israel and a coalition of Arab
states, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It resulted in an overwhelming victory for
Israel, the capture of large swathes of territory from the surrounding Arab states
creating an important defensive buffer for Israel, and the reunification of Jerusalem,
which came under Jewish sovereignty for the first time in nearly 2,000 years.
The war was a watershed moment for the region. Israel’s overwhelming victory
vaulted it from a scrappy nation focused on its survival, to a major regional power. It
also led to a significant deepening of relations with the United States. Additionally, it
resulted in Israel's capture of key territories, including East Jerusalem and the West
Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. This had profound
implications, including the establishment of Israeli settlements, the rise of Palestinian
nationalism, heightened Arab rejection of Israel, and complex geopolitical dynamics in
the region.

3.2.6 MUNICH OLYMPICS MASSACRE (1972)

The first major Palestinian terrorist attack on Israel was carried out by the
Palestinian terrorist group Black September, a faction of the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO). During this attack, 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team
competing in the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany were taken hostage and
eventually killed by the terrorists.
While there were earlier instances of Palestinian terrorism and attacks against
Israel, the Munich Olympics attack gained significant international attention and was
a turning point in the history of terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It
demonstrated the ability of Palestinian terrorist groups to carry out large-scale,
high-profile attacks on Israeli targets outside of the Middle East. Additional major
attacks throughout the 1970s and 80s included the 1974 Ma'alot school attack, the
1978 Coastal Road massacre, and the 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking, among others.

3.2.7 YOM-KIPPUR WAR

The 1973 Yom Kippur War was significant because it began with a surprise attack
by Egypt and Syria on Israel, challenging Israeli military dominance and reasserting
Arab pride. The conflict led to superpower involvement, with the U.S. supporting Israel
and the Soviet Union supporting Arab states. It ended in a ceasefire, triggering
diplomatic efforts, oil embargoes, and changes in Israeli strategy and leadership. The

7
war had a long-term impact on regional security and contributed to the ongoing
Arab-Israeli conflict and peace negotiations, such as the 1979 Camp David Accords.

3.2.8. PEACE TREATY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT

Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty, leading to Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai
Peninsula.
Egypt became the first Arab country to recognize Israel formally. The peace
realigned Egypt’s position in the Middle East and established it as an important U.S.
ally in the region - significantly undercutting Soviet influence in the region. The
Accords also marked the end of a series of major Arab-Israeli Wars, which began in
1948.

3.3. PEACE PROCESS AND TERRORISM (1982-PRESENT)

3.3.1. FIRST LEBANON WAR

The First Lebanon War, also known as the 1982 Lebanon War, was a military conflict
between Israel and various Lebanese factions, mainly the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO). Israel's main objective was to remove PLO forces from southern
Lebanon, which had been launching attacks against Israel.
The conflict evolved into a protracted and controversial involvement in Lebanon by
Israel and the rise of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group. Israel eventually
withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000.

3.3.2. FIRST INTIFADA

The First Intifada was a period of widespread Palestinian protests, civil

disobedience, and acts of violence and terrorism against Israelis that began in
December 1987 and continued into the early 1990s. The intifada was sparked by a
combination of factors, including frustrations with the Israeli control of the West Bank
and Gaza Strip, economic hardships, and a lack of political progress toward a
Palestinian state.
The First Intifada had a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
leading to international attention, changes in the political landscape, and the eventual
start of peace negotiations, notably the Madrid Peace Process and the Oslo Accords in
the early 1990s. The First Intifada also led to the creation of Hamas.

3.3.3. MADRID PEACE CONFERENCE

The conference was a pivotal diplomatic effort co-sponsored by the United States
and the Soviet Union to address the Arab-Israeli conflict. It brought together
representatives from Israel, Arab states, and the Palestinians to engage in both
bilateral negotiations and multilateral discussions on regional issues.

8
 The Madrid conference marked the first time they participated in peace talks with
Israel, and it set the stage for subsequent peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords
and the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan.

3.3.4. THE OSLO ACCORDS

In 1993, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
signed the Oslo Accords, which aimed to achieve peace within five years. It was the
first time the two sides recognised each other.
A second agreement in 1995 divided the occupied West Bank into three parts – Area
A, B and C. The Palestinian Authority, which was created in the wake of the Oslo
Accords, was offered only limited rule on 18 percent of the land as Israel effectively
continued to control the West Bank.
While the talks resulted in two agreements (Oslo I in 1993, and Oslo II in 1995) the
accords began to unravel amid increasing terror attacks and the assassination of
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish extremist. This left the region in a
continued state of hostility and distrust. After the breakdown in talks between Israelis
and the PLO at Camp David in 2000, the Palestinians launched the Second Intifada.

3.3.5. JORDAN-ISRAEL PEACE TREATY

The Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty, signed in 1994, is an agreement between Jordan

and Israel that recognizes each other's sovereignty, establishes their international
boundary, and promotes security and economic cooperation.
The agreement saw Jordan become the second Arab country after Egypt to
normalize relations with Israel. While there remains limited engagement between the
peoples of both countries, the agreement has led to significant regional ties between
Israel and Jordan, especially in economic, resource, and security cooperation.

3.3.6. ASSASSINATION OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK

RABIN

On November 4, 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a longtime major

political figure in Israeli politics and head of the left-wing Labor Party, was
assassinated by an Israeli extremist, Yigal Amir, at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.
Rabin's death was a significant loss to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and it
cast a long shadow over the process, raising questions about security and extremism
within Israeli society. The assassination had lasting impacts on Israeli politics and
society and remains a significant chapter in Israeli history, symbolizing the challenges
of pursuing peace in the Middle East.

3.3.7. SECOND INTIFADA (AL-AQSA INTIFADA)

The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was a period of intense
conflict and Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule that began in late September

9
2000 and continued for several years. The intifada was characterized by widespread
protests, demonstrations, suicide bombings, and armed confrontations between
Israeli security forces and Palestinian terrorists.
The Second Intifada resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides, with
close to 1,000 Israelis killed or injured by Palestinian terror attacks, including suicide
bombings and bus bombings. It had a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, leading to the construction of the West Bank barrier by Israel and influencing
subsequent peace negotiations. It officially ended around 2005, but its consequences
continue to shape the region's political landscape.

3.3.8. ISRAEL WITHDRAWS FROM THE GAZA STRIP

In 2005, Israel, overcoming huge political pushback domestically and the terror
onslaught during the Second Intifada, withdrew from the Gaza Strip, dismantling its
settlements and military installations in the name of peace.
After Israeli withdrawal in 2005, the coastal territory has been under the control of
the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist group, which violently ousted the Fatah-controlled
Palestinian Authority in 2007.

3.3.9. SECOND LEBANON WAR (2006)

Conflict erupts between Israel and the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in
Lebanon following an ambush on Israeli soldiers along the border that killed three
soldiers as well as led to two being taken hostage. The 50-day war ended with a
ceasefire and a UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon.
The conflict had several significant impacts, including revealing Hezbollah’s potent
military capabilities, questions over Israel’s military planning and leadership, and
significant humanitarian impacts on Lebanon. It also had wide regional impacts,
particularly with Iranian and Syrian support for Hezbollah. It resulted in the adoption
of UN Resolution 1701, which called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces,
and the deployment of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. It also called for the
disarming of Hezbollah, which has failed to happen. While no major conflicts between
Israel and Hezbollah have occurred since tensions along the border are very high
following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

3.3.10. HAMAS TAKES CONTROL OF GAZA (2007)

In June, Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., U.K., EU, and
others, took control of the Gaza Strip following violent clashes with its rival Palestinian
faction, Fatah.
This led to the division of the Palestinian territories, with Fatah controlling the West
Bank and Hamas becoming the de facto ruler in Gaza. Hamas has used Iranian
support to launch several significant attacks against Israel from its base in Gaza,
including in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2021, and most recently on October 7, 2023, when

10
Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,400 Israelis, wounded over 3,200, taken over 200
hostages, and launched thousands of rockets.

3.3.11. ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE

In 2007, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas, with the support of the U.S., launched the Annapolis Conference. The
goal was to reach a peace agreement that would lead to the establishment of a
Palestinian state. Hamas called for all parties to boycott the conference.
Olmert said that he gave Abbas an “unprecedented offer” based on a return to the
pre-1967 borders, including land swaps and a division of Jerusalem. But Olmert never
received a final response from the Palestinians on the offer. A Palestinian negotiator
subsequently acknowledged in the media that the Israeli plan would have given his
side the equivalent of 100 percent of the disputed lands under discussion.

3.3.12. OPERATION CAST LEAD

From December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009, Israel launched a military operation
in response to rocket attacks from Gaza. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes, artillery
shelling, and a ground invasion in response to the rocket attacks.
This was the first major conflict between Israelis and Palestinians since the end of
the Second Intifada in 2005. This also saw Israeli forces re-enter the Gaza Strip for
the first time since its withdrawal in 2005 due to the terror threat posed by Hamas.
The conflict resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza, as well as
international condemnation.

3.3.13. SETTLEMENT FREEZE

U.S. President Barack Obama attempted to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

shortly after taking office in 2009. At a speech at Cairo University that year, Obama
reiterated his support for a two-state solution.
As part of a good faith gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
implemented a settlement freeze, a key Palestinian demand, that lasted 10 months.
While talks briefly restarted, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas aborted
the talks.

3.3.14. OPERATION PILLAR OF DEFENSE

From November 14 to November 21, 2012, Israel launched an operation to target

terrorists and rocket launchers in Gaza, in response to increased rocket attacks from
Gaza into nearby Israeli communities.
The operation resulted in a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt and other
international mediators, which ended the hostilities. While a ceasefire was brokered,
this conflict reaffirmed the threat that Hamas posed to Israel, especially after the
much larger 2009 conflict. In particular, Hamas’ firing of rockets into Israeli civilian

11
areas led to more investment in Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system as well as
bomb shelters and a civilian alert system in Israel. It also renewed international
criticism of Israeli policies, including questions over disproportionate force by human
rights groups.

3.3.15. OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE

In June 2014, three Israeli teenagers - Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer, and Eyal Yifrah
- were abducted and killed by Hamas terrorists while hitchhiking in the West Bank.
Their murder by Hamas led to a widespread Israeli crackdown on Hamas terrorists in
the West Bank as well as increasing tensions and rocket fire on Israel. This eventually
escalated into Operation Protective Edge, which lasted from July 8 to August 26, 2014.
The operation aimed to uncover and neutralize a network of tunnels that extended
from Gaza into Israeli territory as well as end Hamas rocket fire. These tunnels were
viewed as a significant security risk, potentially allowing terrorists to infiltrate and
carry out attacks in Israel. Hamas also has held the bodies of two Israeli soldiers -
Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul - leading to significant tension between Israel and
Hamas. It was also the last time Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip until the
October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack.

3.3.16. PEACE TO PROSPERITY PLAN

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the “Peace to Prosperity” plan in January
2020. The plan presented a vision for a two-state solution but with certain
parameters, including Israeli sovereignty over some settlements in the West Bank and
land swaps. The plan also included an economic component, which was unveiled in
June 2019 at a conference in Bahrain, that promised $50 billion in new investment for
Palestinians.
The plan was largely rejected by the international community, although serious
attention was given to the new opportunities for regional cooperation and investment
built into the proposal. The Palestinians did not participate in the drafting of the plan
and outright rejected it when it was released. Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas had boycotted the Trump administration following its decision to
recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.

3.3.17. ABRAHAM RECORDS

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, are a series of historic agreements that led
to the normalization of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Israel
and Arab countries, including the UAE and Bahrain, and later the Joint Declaration
with Morocco. Take our Abraham Accords quiz. The Accords marked a departure
from decades of Arab-Israeli conflict, opened up economic opportunities, fostered
regional stability, and represented a symbol of changing dynamics in the Middle East.
They also served as a model for potential future agreements between Israel and other
Arab and Muslim-majority countries.

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 3.3.18. MAY CONFLICT IN GAZA

An 11-day war erupted between Israel and Hamas. Hamas terrorists used tensions
in Jerusalem, specifically over the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the eviction dispute in the East
Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, as a pretext to launch rockets at Israeli
civilian areas and ignite hostilities. It resulted in intense rocket fire from Gaza and
Israeli airstrikes. A ceasefire was brokered by Egypt and other mediators on May 21,
2021, ending the hostilities.
Prior to October 7, 2023, this was the most recent direct conflict between Israel
and Hamas until October 2023. The conflict also led to a major spike in antisemitism
globally targeting Jewish communities in the United States and Europe.

3.3.19. AUGUST OPERATION IN GAZA (2022)

This three-day conflict resulted in over 1,000 rockets being fired at Israel by the
Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group and the targeted killing of PIJ
commander Tayseer al-Jabari.
While the operation quickly ended in a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, it was significant in that Hamas, the de facto ruler of Gaza, did not take
part in the hostilities. The conflict was a setback for the Iranian-backed terror group,
but tensions between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued into 2023 in both
Gaza and the West Bank.

4. PALESTINE AND ISRAELI CONFLICT

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 Periodic escalations of violence between Israel and Palestinian factions,
particularly in Gaza, have occurred in recent years, leading to airstrikes, rocket
attacks, and ground incursions.
The Israel-Palestine conflict is multifaceted and complex, encompassing historical,
territorial, religious, and geopolitical dimensions, including:
-​ A territorial dispute: The conflict revolves around competing claims to the land
of historic Palestine, which is roughly equivalent to present-day Israel, the
West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim sovereignty
over the same territory, leading to disputes over borders, settlements, and
control of Jerusalem.
-​ A historical context: The conflict has deep historical roots, including the
displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of the state of Israel in
1948 (Nakba), the Arab-Israeli wars, and the Israeli occupation of the West
Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem since 1967.
-​ The Israeli Settlements: Israel's construction of settlements in the occupied
territories, deemed illegal under international law, is a major point of
contention. Settlement expansion is seen by Palestinians as a barrier to the
establishment of a viable Palestinian state and undermines prospects for a
two-state solution.
-​ The Palestinian Statehood: Palestinians seek an independent state in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the pre-1967
borders. However, the fragmentation of Palestinian territory, Israeli
settlements, and security barriers pose significant obstacles to the realization
of this goal.
-​ Security concerns: Israel cites security concerns, including Palestinian
militant attacks and rocket fire from Gaza, as justification for military
operations, blockade measures, and the construction of security barriers such
as the West Bank barrier.
-​ Jerusalem: Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital, with
each side asserting historical and religious ties to the city. The status of
Jerusalem, particularly the holy sites in the Old City, remains one of the most
contentious issues in the conflict.
-​ Right of Return: Palestinians who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli
War and their descendants demand the right of return to their ancestral
homes, a demand rejected by Israel, which fears demographic changes that
could threaten its Jewish majority.
-​ International Involvement: The conflict has drawn significant international
attention and involvement, with various peace initiatives, negotiations, and UN
resolutions aimed at resolving the dispute. However, efforts to achieve a lasting
peace agreement, including the Oslo Accords and the Road Map for Peace,
have thus far been unsuccessful.
-​ Humanitarian Concerns: The conflict has resulted in humanitarian crises,
including the displacement of Palestinian refugees, restrictions on movement
and access, and periodic outbreaks of violence that have led to civilian
casualties and suffering on both sides.

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 -​ Narratives and Identity: The conflict is deeply entrenched in the national
narratives and identities of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Addressing these core issues requires a comprehensive and negotiated solution
that addresses the legitimate rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians,
while ensuring security and stability for all parties involved.

4.1. MAIN EVENTS

4.1.1. FIRST MONTH OF CURRENT CONFLICT (OCT 2023)

Marking the beginning of the current conflict, on October 7th 2023, Hamas gunmen
stormed into southern Israel and rampaged through communities killing 1,000 people
and taking 240 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
October 8: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is at war and retaliatory
airstrikes on densely populated Gaza begin, along with a total siege of the coastal
enclave, which is squeezed between Israel and Egypt
October 13: Israel told residents of Gaza City, where more than 1 million of the
enclave's 2.3 million people live, to evacuate and move south. Over the course of the
next weeks, Israel will push for the evacuation of the entire north. Hundreds of
thousands of Gazans will flee their homes, beginning a process that will soon uproot
nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip, with families often forced to flee several
times as Israeli forces advance.
October 17: An explosion at al-Ahli al-Arabi Baptist hospital in Gaza City triggers
outrage in the Arab world. Palestinians say hundreds died and blame the blast on an
Israeli airstrike; Israel says it was caused by a misfiring Palestinian rocket, an
assertion later backed by Washington. The blast overshadows a visit the following day
to the region by U.S. President Joe Biden, whose planned summit with Arab leaders is
called off. In Israel, Biden gives full support to its right to defend itself but also tells
Israelis not to be blinded by their anger.
October 19: A U.S. navy warship intercepts missiles and drones launched from
Yemen over the Red Sea in the direction of Israel. Yemen's Houthi group, like Hamas an
Iranian ally, will continue sporadic long-range attacks on Israel and against Red Sea
shipping in what is described as solidarity with Gaza.
October 21: Aid trucks are allowed through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt
into Gaza after days of diplomatic wrangling. It is only a small fraction of what is
required in Gaza, where food, water, medicines and fuel are running out. The issue of
securing adequate supplies through Israel's blockade persists through coming
months as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
October 27: A week after mounting limited incursions, Israel launches a broad
ground offensive in Gaza, beginning with an assault on the north, vowing to free all its
hostages and eradicate Hamas.
October 31: Fifteen Israeli soldiers are killed in Gaza fighting - the military's biggest
single-day losses of the war.

4.1.2 NOVEMBER 2023

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 Nov. 1: Evacuations begin from Gaza through the Rafah crossing for an estimated
7,000 foreign passport-holders, dual nationals and their dependents, and people
needing urgent medical treatment. The overwhelming majority of Gaza residents still
have no way out of the enclave.
Nov. 9: Israel says a drone launched from Syrian territory hit its southern city of
Eilat. The next day, the Israeli military said it attacked the militia responsible. Israel
will later say Syria is among new fronts in the expanding Gaza war.
Nov. 15: Israeli troops enter Gaza's biggest hospital, Al Shifa in Gaza City, after a
siege of several days during which medical staff say patients including newborn
babies died from a lack of power and supplies. The Israelis say the hospital had been
used to conceal an underground headquarters for Hamas fighters, which staff deny.
The military later takes media on a tour of a tunnel there. Within a few more weeks, all
hospitals serving the northern half of Gaza will have ceased functioning.
Nov. 21: Israel and Hamas announce the first truce of the war: an agreement to
pause fighting for four days to exchange women and children hostages held in Gaza
for Palestinian women and teenagers detained or jailed by Israel on security grounds,
and allow in more aid. The ceasefire would eventually be extended for a week in total,
freeing 105 hostages and about 240 Palestinian detainees, before it collapses and
war resumes on Dec. 1.

4.1.3 DECEMBER 2023

Around Dec. 4: Days after the truce expires, Israeli forces launch their first big
ground assault in southern Gaza, on the outskirts of the main southern city, Khan
Younis. International organizations say the next phase of the war, which extends the
military campaign from the north to the entire length of the enclave including areas
already sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people, will drastically worsen
the humanitarian situation.
Dec. 12: Biden says Israel's "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza is costing it
international support, a clear shift in rhetoric from Israel's closest ally, the United
States. Over the coming weeks, several senior U.S. officials visit Israel, urging it to do
more to protect civilians, scale down the war, and shift to a more targeted campaign
against Hamas leaders.
Dec. 15: Israeli forces mistakenly kill three hostages in Gaza. The incident leads to
some of the most pronounced criticism of the conduct of the war within Israel,
although the campaign still has widespread domestic support.
Dec. 22: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia, says it launched a
long-range attack on Israel. Israel reports no impact. Israel's defence minister later
says Iraq is among regional fronts to which the Gaza war has expanded.
Around Dec. 26: Israeli forces launch a major ground assault on areas in the central
Gaza Strip, preceded by a campaign of airstrikes that again sends hundreds of
thousands of people to flight, most of them already displaced.

4.1.4 JANUARY 2024

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 From Jan. 1, 2024: Israel signals it will start withdrawing some troops from Gaza in
a more targeted new phase of its campaign that it says will last for many months.
Officials say this transition in tactics will begin in the north of Gaza, while intense
fighting continues in southern areas.
Jan. 11: U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines launch dozens of
airstrikes across Yemen in retaliation against Houthi forces for their attacks on Red
Sea shipping. The United States carries out another strike in Yemen the following day.
The Houthis say five of their fighters were killed in the initial strikes, and that they will
retaliate and continue their attacks on shipping.
Also on Jan. 11, the International Court of Justice hears opening statements in a
case in which South Africa accuses Israel of committing a state-led genocide
campaign against the Palestinian population. Israel denies the accusation.
Jan. 21: 21 Israeli soldiers killed while trying to build Gaza buffer. Two-dozen troops
are killed in the bloodiest day for the Israeli military since the start of the war.
Twenty-one are killed while trying to demolish two buildings, leading Israel to confirm
it is building a buffer zone in Gaza to further separate the enclave from Israel.
Jan. 26: U.N. court orders emergency measures. The International Court of Justice
orders Israel to do more to prevent harm to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Jan. 26: UNRWA fires staff amid accusations of Oct. 7 involvement. The U.N. agency
for Palestinian refugees announces it has fired members of staff and launched an
investigation after receiving information from Israel alleging that the staff members
were involved in the Oct. 7 attack. The United States and other donor countries
announce they will suspend funding.

4.1.5. FEBRUARY 2024

Feb. 23: After months of pressure, Netanyahu’s office releases his postwar plans
for Gaza. He says Israel will maintain indefinite military control of Gaza and assume
greater control of its southern border, but leaves open the possibility of Palestinian
Authority officials playing a role.
Feb. 29: Casualties reach over 30,000 killed and 70,000 wounded, according to the
Gaza Health Ministry. That means around 1 in 20 in Gaza are dead or wounded.

4.1.6. MARCH 2024

Donors delivered aid by air and sea. Humanitarian groups warn famine is imminent,
and aid routes become deadly flash points. In one incident over 100 people were
killed, Palestinian officials say, when thousands converge on an aid convoy and Israeli
troops open fire.
The USA begins dropping food into Gaza by airplane. Biden, in his State of the Union
address on March 7, announced plans to build a floating pier on Gaza’s coast to enable
deliveries by sea.
A humanitarian ship run by chef José Andrés’s Washington-based World Central
Kitchen and the search-and-rescue group Open Arms makes the first delivery to Gaza
by sea.

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 4.1.7. APRIL 2024

Apr. 1: Israeli airstrikes kill seven World Central Kitchen workers delivering aid in
Gaza. The team had clearance from the Israeli military. Biden tells Netanyahu he will
reassess U.S. policy if Israel does not immediately address humanitarian conditions
and protect aid workers. Israel says it will open more aid routes into Gaza. Following a
military investigation, Israel says the strikes on the aid convoy violated military
procedures and were a “grave mistake.” World Central Kitchen calls for an
independent investigation.

4.1.8. MAY 2024

4.2. THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE CONFLICT

The United Nations (UN) has played a central role in the Israel-Palestine conflict
since its inception. Despite the UN's involvement, the Israel-Palestine conflict remains
unresolved, with continued violence, occupation, settlement expansion, and
humanitarian crises affecting the lives of millions of Palestinians and Israelis. Many
challenges remain in achieving a comprehensive and just solution to the conflict,
including addressing core issues such as borders, settlements, Jerusalem, refugees,
and security.

4.2.1. PARTITION PLAN (1947)

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, recommending the partition of

Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as a corpus
separatum under international administration. While accepted by Jewish leaders,
Arab leaders rejected the plan, leading to the outbreak of the Arab-Israeli War in
1948.

4.2.2. UN RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES

(UNRWA)

Established in 1949, UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance, education, health

care, and social services to Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli
War and their descendants. It operates in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon,
and Syria.

4.2.3. SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

The UN Security Council has issued numerous resolutions addressing various

aspects of the conflict, including calls for ceasefires, condemnation of violence,
demands for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories, and
affirmations of the right of Palestinians to self-determination.

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 4.2.4. PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

The UN has deployed peacekeeping missions to the region to monitor ceasefires

and buffer zones, including the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
(UNTSO), established in 1948, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force
(UNDOF), deployed in the Golan Heights since 1974.

4.2.5. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

The UN has facilitated and supported peace negotiations between Israelis and
Palestinians, including the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and the Road Map for Peace in
the early 2000s. However, these efforts have not led to a final resolution of the
conflict.

4.2.6. INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)

In 2004, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's construction of the
West Bank barrier illegal under international law and calling for its dismantlement.
However, Israel has largely ignored this ruling.

4.2.7. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (UNCHR)

The UNHRC has frequently addressed human rights violations in the occupied
Palestinian territories, including reports of unlawful killings, arbitrary detention,
settlement expansion, and restrictions on freedom of movement.

4.2.8. GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS

The UN General Assembly has passed numerous resolutions condemning Israeli

actions in the occupied territories, affirming the rights of Palestinians, and calling for
a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

5. POSITIONS

5.1. STATE OF ISRAEL

Israel's position towards its conflict with Hamas and the broader Palestinian situation
has been firm and multifaceted. Officially, the jewish nation has expressed support for
a two-state solution, envisioning an independent State of Palestine alongside Israel.
However, the specifics of this vision, including borders, the status of Jerusalem, and
the right of return for Palestinian refugees, remain contentious points. Successive
Israeli governments have differed in their approaches to these issues. Following the

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October 7, 2023, attack, the Israeli government declared war on Hamas. Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the goal of achieving "total victory"
over Hamas, which includes the complete elimination of the group and the safe return
of hostages taken by Hamas​. The Israeli military operations have involved extensive
aerial bombardments and ground incursions into Gaza. These actions have led to
significant casualties and displacement among the Gazan population, creating a
severe humanitarian crisis. As a consequence, Israel has faced international criticism
for the high civilian toll, with calls for minimizing casualties and increasing
humanitarian aid​. Despite the intensity of the conflict, Israel has participated in
temporary pauses to facilitate humanitarian aid and hostage exchanges​​. However,
these pauses are temporary and the broader conflict continues, with Israeli forces
maintaining operations to target Hamas leaders and infrastructure​. There is also
significant international involvement and pressure. On a political level, Israel's
long-term strategy and statements by officials suggest a complex stance. Some Israeli
leaders have made controversial remarks about the displacement of Gazans and the
potential future governance of Gaza, leading to debates and criticism both
domestically and internationally​. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing
negotiations and international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and seek a
longer-term resolution​.

5.2. STATE OF PALESTINE

The Palestinian position on the ongoing conflict with Israel is multifaceted, involving
statements and perspectives from various Palestinian factions, including the
Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, as well as the broader population in Gaza and
the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, has
condemned Israeli actions, labeling them as "terrorist acts" carried out by settlers
and protected by Israeli forces. Abbas holds the Israeli government fully responsible
for the violence and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories​​. The
PA continues to advocate for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment
of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, has a more militant stance. They view the conflict as a
fight against Israeli occupation and aggression. Hamas officials have stated that their
actions, including rocket attacks and other militant activities, are responses to Israeli
military operations and the blockade of Gaza, which has severely impacted living
conditions by restricting access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical
supplies​. Hamas has also criticized international meetings and agreements that do not
address what they see as the fundamental rights of Palestinians, arguing that such
initiatives aim to undermine Palestinian resistance and solidify Israeli control​. On the
ground, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with significant casualties,
widespread destruction, and a severe lack of essential services. The Gaza Health
Ministry reports high civilian casualties due to Israeli airstrikes, and international
organizations like the United Nations have called for urgent humanitarian aid and a
ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the civilian
population.​Both the PA and Hamas highlight the need for global intervention to

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address the humanitarian crisis and to support the Palestinian quest for
independence and self-determination​

5.3. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States has historically maintained a close relationship with Israel, often
providing political, economic, and military support. Since World War II the United
States has given more money to Israel than any other country, which included
economic aid until 2008, but is now military-spending restricted. This money, along
with provided technology and resources have helped Israel build one of the most
powerful militaries in the world. Washington has typically supported Israel's right to
exist and defend itself, viewing it as a key ally in the Middle East, explicitly during the
Cold War, period when the rivalry between the major capitalist power and the
communist Soviet Union also played out in the Middle East, and the region was divided
into Pro-Western and Pro-Soviet countries. While the U.S. does not recognize the State
of Palestine, it recognizes the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate
representative entity for the Palestinian people. Regarding the Israel-Palestine
conflict, the U.S. has often played a role as a mediator in peace negotiations and has
generally supported a two-state solution, where Israel and a future Palestinian state
would coexist peacefully side by side. Nevertheless, under the Biden government, the
nation is, firmly, Israel’s main ally, sending warships and high-ranking officials to the
Eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf as a form to assist Israeli forces towards the
threat of Arab adversaries in the region, whilst attempting to restructure the
relations between the Arab countries and the Jewish homeland.

5.4. PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

China's position on the Israel-Palestine conflict has typically been one of support
for the Palestinian cause, while also advocating for a peaceful resolution through
negotiations and dialogue. China has historically supported the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the state of
Israel. It has often expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in the
Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and has called for
an end to violence against civilians and the expansion of Israeli settlements. China has
also been critical of unilateral actions that it perceives as undermining the prospects
for a negotiated settlement, such as Israel's construction of settlements in the
occupied territories and the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
However, while China has expressed support for the Palestinian cause in international
forums such as the United Nations, its involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict has
been primarily diplomatic and political, rather than military or economic. China has
also sought to maintain good relations with Israel, particularly in the areas of trade,
technology, and investment.

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 5.5. RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Russia staunchly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state

alongside Israel, within borders based on pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as the
capital of the Palestinian state. Moscow has offered to facilitate direct negotiations
between Israelis and Palestinians. Yet, the nation has historically aligned with
Palestine and the Arab League. Particularly during the Cold War-era, the Soviet Union
- of which Russia was a former member and the largest successor state - pursued a
foreign policy that aimed to challenge Western hegemony and support anti-colonial
movements around the world, viewing the Palestinian struggle as part of the broader
fight against imperialism and capitalism. Reflecting its remaining desire to maintain
influence in the Middle East, a region of strategic importance due to its energy
resources, geopolitical dynamics, and security concerns, Russia adopts a backing
position towards Palestine’s humanitarian crisis resultant of the conflict, providing
aid to Palestinians, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, and supporting initiatives
aimed at alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in the region. This allows the
nation, under Putin’s mandate, to assert itself as a key player in the region and
cultivate ties with Arab countries.

5.6. ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

Historically, Egypt has played a central role in several Arab-Israeli wars, including
the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973
Yom Kippur War. These conflicts contributed to the ongoing tensions with Israel and
the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. However, the nation agreed to recognize the State of
Israel under the terms of a 1979 peace treaty in exchange for the return of the Sinai
Peninsula captured during the Six Day War, becoming the first Arab country to
officially recognize Israel's right to exist. Despite that, Cairo has consistently
supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel,
with East Jerusalem as its capital. It advocates for a two-state solution to the conflict,
having been involved in various peace initiatives aimed at achieving this goal, many
times serving as a mediator. Whereas it shares a border with the Gaza Strip, the
country has played a role in facilitating the movement of goods and people through the
Rafah border crossing, while also working to broker ceasefires during periods of
heightened violence. Following the concern around territorial security, Egypt has
taken steps to prevent arms smuggling and maintain security along the border,
sometimes leading to tensions with Palestinian factions.

5.7. REPUBLIC OF LEBANON

Lebanon's position towards the Israel-Palestine conflict is complex and

multifaceted, reflecting its own domestic political dynamics, historical context, and
regional considerations. Beirut has been a committed supporter of the Palestinian
cause and has officially remained in a state of war with Israel since its establishment
in 1948. The Arab nation hosts a significant population of Palestinian refugees - many
of whom live in camps under the authority of various Palestinian factions -, therefore

22
supporting their right of return to their homeland. These refugees have faced
socio-economic challenges and have become a politically sensitive issue within the
country. Furthermore, Beirut has had its own conflicts with Israel, notably the
Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and the 2006 Lebanon War. As a member of the Arab
League, the nation aligns with broader Arab consensus in advocating for a two-state
solution and opposing Israeli actions such as settlement expansion and military
incursions However, Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese Shia militant group and political
party, backed by Iran, has emerged as a key player in Lebanese politics and has
maintained a strong anti-Israel stance, aligning with Palestinian militant groups such
as Hamas. Thus, Lebanon's position on the Israel-Palestine conflict is not entirely
uniform. While there is broad consensus against normalization with Israel and in
support of Palestinian rights, there are also internal divisions within Lebanese society
and politics regarding the best approach to addressing the conflict. Some Lebanese
factions advocate for diplomatic engagement and a negotiated settlement, while
others support armed resistance against Israel.

5.8. SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Syria has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has
maintained a hostile stance towards Israel. Damascus does not recognize Israel's
legitimacy as a state and has been in a state of conflict with Israel since its
establishment in 1948. The Arab Nation has supported and hosted Palestinian militant
groups, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, providing them with political
and material support. Moreover, the Syrian government has also been critical of
normalization agreements between other Middle Eastern countries and Israel, and
peace initiatives that do not meet Palestinian demands, particularly those related to
the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and the
right of return for Palestinian refugees. Additionally, Syria has engaged in several
conflicts with Israel over the years, including the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948, 1967, and
1973. The Golan Heights, a region that Israel captured from Syria during the Six-Day
War in 1967, remains a contentious issue between the two countries. Syria insists on
the full return of the Golan Heights as part of any peace agreement with Israel.
However, up until now Syria has confined military action against Israel to sporadic
cross-border shelling and rocket attacks on the occupied Golan Heights, which have
been going on for years, while The Israeli military has continued to fire rockets at
Syrian airports in Damascus and Aleppo, putting them out of use, ostensibly to prevent
incoming fighters or arms from Iran

5.9. FRENCH REPUBLIC

France has traditionally supported a two-state solution, recognizing the right of Israel
to exist within secure and internationally recognized borders, alongside the creation
of a viable and independent Palestinian state. However, amongst other Western
powers and G7 members, Paris has never recognized Palestine. Despite that, France
has been active diplomatically in efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israel

23
and the Palestinians, as well as to assist the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It has
supported initiatives such as the Arab Peace Initiative and has participated in a deal
of delivery of medicine to hostages. Furthermore, the European nation has expressed
concern over Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, as
well as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, but has also condemned Hamas’s
October 7 acts of violence as terrorism, having supported international efforts to
achieve a lasting ceasefire.

5.10. REPUBLIC OF TÜRKIYE

Turkey’s position towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply influenced by the

country’s influence in the Middle East and broader foreign policy. It was the first
Muslim-majority country to recognise Israel and had good ties till the 1980s, when
trade and tourism between the nations were growing . But the rise of the Islamist AK
Party, led by the current president Erdogan, changed the relations, reminiscing
Ankara’s religious affinity with Palestine and the prevailing public sentiment. After an
incident involving the death of Turkish civilians by Israeli forces in 2010, tensions
increased. Soon thereafter, Turkey began openly providing substantial diplomatic
support and shelter to Hamas. Furthermore, Turkey's disagreements with Israel’s
main ally, the United States, over a host of reasons related to national security,
regional influence, and domestic politics, have contributed to Erdogan's growing
mistrust of the West. Despite efforts made to mend ties with jewish homeland,
resulting in a restoration of full diplomatic relations in 2022, the Turkish authorities
have condemned Israeli actions and emphasized the necessity of a Palestinian state.
Ankara's support for Palestine is evident through various means, including financial
assistance and advocacy for a negotiated settlement based on UN resolutions and the
principle of land for peace. In line with Turkey’s vision of being a regional power, the
country is eager to participate in reconstructing the Gaza Strip, sorting out
Palestinian politics, and mediating a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.

5.11. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

The United Kingdom has historically supported a two-state solution to the

Israel-Palestine conflict, urging both sides to negotiate and avoid unilateral actions
that escalate tensions . Regardless of not having recognized the Palestinian State, the
UK has recently condemned Israeli settlement expansions and called for improved
humanitarian conditions in Gaza, while opposing any forced resettlement of
Palestinians​​. Despite its advocacy for peace, the UK's role in the conflict's escalation
has been controversial, particularly due to its military logistics support to Israel
through British bases in Cyprus, which has drawn criticism and protests​​. Historically,
the UK's involvement began with the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which supported a
Jewish homeland in Palestine. During the British Mandate (1922-1948), Britain faced
significant challenges balancing Jewish and Arab interests, leading to increased
tensions and violence. Ultimately, the UK decided to withdraw from Palestine in 1948,
paving the way for the declaration of the State of Israel and the subsequent

24
Arab-Israeli war​. In summary, while the UK publicly advocates for a peaceful
resolution and a two-state solution, its actions, particularly in terms of military
logistics and support, have been contentious and criticized for potentially
exacerbating the conflict. This duality reflects the UK's complex geopolitical interests
and its historical ties in the region.

5.12. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Germany's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is deeply influenced by its historical

responsibility from the Holocaust, making Israel's security a fundamental principle.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has underscored that ensuring Israel's security is
non-negotiable, a sentiment reinforced after the October 2023 Hamas attacks. In
response, Germany expressed firm solidarity with Israel and supported its right to
self-defense. Simultaneously, Germany is aware of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
and has provided significant financial aid to support the civilian population,
advocating for humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid delivery. Germany remains
committed to a two-state solution, viewing it as the only sustainable path to peace,
envisioning an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel. However,
Germany's diplomatic efforts face challenges in balancing its support for Israel with
addressing Palestinian rights and violence de-escalation. Domestically, this position
has sparked significant debate, with public opinion divided over the government's
strong support for Israel and concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

5.13. HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

Jordan's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is characterized by robust support for

Palestinian rights, advocacy for de-escalation, and a commitment to humanitarian
concerns. King Abdullah II and senior officials have condemned Israeli actions in
Gaza, describing them as genocidal and accusing Israel of attempting to displace
Palestinians, which they view as a significant threat to Jordan’s stability. This concern
is amplified by fears of potential Palestinian resettlement in Jordan. Domestically,
strong public support for the Palestinian cause has led to protests and political
pressure on the government to adopt a firmer stance against Israel. Despite this,
Jordan maintains its peace treaty with Israel due to critical strategic and economic
interests, including essential water agreements. Jordanian diplomacy focuses on
engaging with international and regional partners to advocate for civilian protection,
adherence to international humanitarian law, and a just resolution to the conflict​.

6. STUDY ORIENTATIONS

It is of pivotal importance for all delegations to conduct their own research over the
topic to be completely prepared. A good performance on the debate is intrinsically

25
related to the delegate's knowledge of the matter and the nation they represent. In
that note, we recommend these sites to deepen your understanding:

●​ http://www.onu.org.br/
●​ https://news.un.org/en/
●​ https://press.un.org/en/first-committee
●​ https://www.ajc.org/
●​ https://www.aljazeera.com/
●​ https://education.cfr.org/
●​ https://www.nam.ac.uk/

For your delegation to obtain a further understanding of their own representative

country, we recommend additional research on their own government websites and
the analyzing of previous positions and solution proposals on UN meetings. We also
find it wise to keep up with the latest news about the topic.
Furthermore, the understanding of the functionality and order of events of an UN
simulation is extremely important to a smooth experience the day of. This information
will be at your disposal at the Rules Guide. We also would like to highlight that any
research is not allowed during the debate and all information must be obtained
before.

7. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The Board of the Disarmament and International Security Committee would like to
thank all the participants for their interest in this year’s PMUN edition! Alongside, we
are also so grateful for the Colégio Pentagono directors, coordinators, teachers and
staff that contributed profoundly to the execution of this event. Last but not least we
want to express our appreciation to all the members of this year’s PMUN team that
worked tirelessly for this project to happen. If any doubt appears, feel free to contact
any of our staff members! Great research and an amazing simulation to all!

7.1. DISEC STAFF

●​ Rafaela Vieira ([email protected])

●​ Marília Cruz ([email protected])
●​ Julia Ikeda ([email protected])
●​ Noah Salzman ([email protected])

7.2. PMUN STAFF

●​ Pedro Lopes ([email protected])

●​ Isabela Brito ([email protected])

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