UNITED NATION’S ROLE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION: AN ANALYSIS OF PALESTINE-ISRAEL CONFLICT

Abstract

The main purpose of the establishment of the UN is to ensure global amity and security in the world. The international body is primarily mandated to achieve international peace through peaceful means. It can even resort to the use of force if the peaceful intervention fails to achieve the goals of peace and stability and the issue has potential threats to world peace. The main institutions of the United Nations i.e. General Assembly, the Security Council and the International Court of Justice are responsible for the maintenance of peace and stability in the world. The UN Secretariat acts as the center for coordination for operation of the UN main organs and agencies in different regions in the world. The issue of Palestine is one of the continuing disputes on the UN’s agenda associated with it since its establishment. The perpetuation of the unresolved conflict between Israel and the people of Palestine has raised questions on the role of international peace keeping body in Middle East. Keeping in view the gravity and potential threats associated with the issue, this study critically examined the UN’s role in conflict resolution efforts in the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. Qualitative inquiry was opted in this study that involves employing literature review for data gathering, especially documents of UN related to Palestine. The data was analysed using an inductive approach, which involved the extraction of its concepts from the bulk of specific detail that makes up the database. US being influential member of Security Council, has effectively prevented the United Nations from participating in negotiations regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict since 1967 by exercising its right to veto any binding resolutions on the issue. The analysis indicates that the United Nations' involvement in this conflict is restricted to humanitarian aid. The future success of the UN in this conflict depends  on a renewed global commitment, impartial involvement with both parties.