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Over 200 children were brutally killed in Gaza before the UN Security Council was able to agree to call for a ceasefire. (Reuters Photo) |
Since the beginning of the attacks on Gaza, hundreds of civilians, many of them children, have been killed by Israeli "smart" bombs. The Israeli forces are dropping rockets and bombs on schools, apartment buildings, homes, and mosques in Gaza, claiming that these buildings are used by Hamas fighters to either launch attacks or store weapons.
On January 6, the Israeli army bombed a United Nations school which sheltered hundreds of civilians, killing over forty innocent people. Again, Israeli officials claimed that Hamas was firing at their forces from the school complex. This claim was categorically rejected by the UN staff at the school. Israel has yet to provide evidence that any of the bombed civilian objects in Gaza were in fact used by Hamas.
There are many diplomatic efforts, often behind closed doors, to try and secure a ceasefire and an end of fighting. Since Dec. 27, 2008, the United Nations (UN) held numerous meetings where the current conflict in Gaza was the only topic.
However, for two weeks, the UN Security Council has not been able to even agree on a statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, let alone condemn the killings of over 200 innocent children or help end the crisis and suffering of civilians.
Miguel D'escoto Brockmann, a former foreign minister of Nicaragua and the current president of the United Nations General Assembly, says "once again, the world is watching in dismay the dysfunctionality of the Security Council."
Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, says the Council's "deafening silence" places "a big question mark over its credibility and the entire system of international security."
UN Resolution Ignored
| Although the UN resolution on Gaza is legally binding, it does not have any enforcement mechanism. |
Finally, on Jan. 8, four permanent and ten temporary members of the UN Security Council passed a resolution urging an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, full Israeli withdrawal, end to arms smuggling, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and diplomatic efforts for peace.
The United States was the only member to abstain from voting, thus sending a signal to Israel that it does not support the call for ceasefire.
Showing total disrespect for the UN, Israel continued its assault on Gaza after the resolution was passed, carrying out at least 50 air strikes. At the same time, Hamas also dismissed the UN resolution, claiming that no one consulted the organization.
As Al-Jazeera reports, even though "the UN resolution is legally binding, it does not have any enforcement mechanism, and Israel has ignored dozens of UN resolutions over the years."
UN's Aims vs. Reality
| Over the last six decades, Realpolitik has prevented the UN from accomplishing anything meaningful. |
The UN was formed in the aftermath of the Second World War "determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war." However, while the UN Charter states that the purpose of the organization is the "avoidance of war and maintenance of peace," the Charter has not provided the means to achieve such grand goals.
In reality, the UN cannot do anything on its own since it is an umbrella organization dependent for decisions on its member states, especially the five permanent members of the Security Council — the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France.
One of the main reasons for the dysfunctionality of the UN is the realist approach in international relations used by the countries across the world.
Realists view states as rational and unitary factors focused solely on self-interests, national security, and balance of power. Realism influences countries to pursue national interests even if they are contrary to the interests of other people and states.
Morals, ethics, and legality are the least important principles for realists.
Over the last six decades, Realpolitik has prevented the UN from accomplishing anything meaningful if one of the five permanent members of the Security Council is in disagreement.
In the case of Gaza, the US — a stanch ally of Israel and one of the permanent members with a veto power to block any resolution, decision, or statement at the UN Security Council — has prevented the Council for two weeks from even voting on a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Veto: The Old Tradition
| Over 200 children were brutally killed in Gaza before the UN Security Council was able to agree to call for a ceasefire. |
This is not the first time that the permanent members of the Security Council use their veto powers to block UN resolutions that can stop conflicts, bring ceasefires, and save innocent people.
In 1994, for example, the United States' government deliberately blocked all Security Council decisions concerning Rwanda and deployment of UN troops. As a result, the UN could not intervene. Almost one million people died in Rwanda in only 100 days.
Since 2003, China has blocked numerous attempts at the UN Security Council to pressure Sudan to halt its attacks on civilians in Darfur.
The Need for Reform
To add to the relevance and functionality of the UN, the organization, its Charter, and decision-making procedures must be reformed and the Security Council needs to be expanded to ensure that its membership reflects the situation in the current world rather than the balance of power of 1945.
Talks about reforming the UN have been going on for decades. So far, the five permanent members of the Security Council have opposed any significant reforms.
It is astonishing that the UN Security Council cannot swiftly call for an immediate ceasefire and condemn the killings of hundreds of civilians and children in Gaza because some of the permanent members of the Council simply veto any discussion in order to protect their allies.
Instead of being an organization that can effectively help in time of crises like the current one in Gaza, the UN looks irrelevant and completely dysfunctional.
Over 200 children were brutally killed in Gaza before the UN Security Council was able to agree to call for a ceasefire.
How many more will have to die before the Council agrees to condemn the killings of innocent people and put real pressure on both sides to end the conflict?
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