United Nations Security Council

Background Guide

Letter from the Executive Board

Esteemed Delegates,

We welcome you all to the Model UN simulation of the United Nations Security Council,
here at Pallavi MUN 2024. It is our honour to serve as the Executive Board during the
entirety of this conference, and we hope to make this conference stand out as an extraordinary
MUN experience in your memory. This background guide is formulated to give you a brief
overview of the current agenda at hand and will not by any means replace your existing
research efforts. We recommend that delegates grasp a brief understanding of the entire
agenda before stepping into the conference in order to boost the learning experience that is
provided through Model UN.

Keep in mind that this background guide will only act as a primary guide towards
establishing your research and is in no way supposed to be used as proof during committee
proceedings in any instance. We further recommend that delegates delve deeply into the topic
and expand their research beyond what is listed in the background guide.

During committee proceedings, delegates will be representing their respective nations as

proud diplomats and will have to critically analyse the current situation and think according
to their country's perspective while ruling out their personal sentiments and perspectives.

We encourage delegates not to think of this journey as an individual experience but rather as
a group experience, as it is crucial to work together during committee alongside each other in
order to brainstorm various aspects of the agenda.

Lastly, if there is any help needed regarding the procedure or any relevant questions, please
do not hesitate to reach out to the Executive Board, as we will be available at all times in
order to make this a remarkable experience for all.

Regards,

Chairperson - Avirbhav Danamaraju

Vice-Chairperson - Ishaan Sharma

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Background Guide

Crucial facts to keep in mind

1. Rules of Procedure: Rules of Procedure are a set of guidelines that ensure the quality
of debate remains productive. For this conference, we will be following the
UNA-USA Rules of Procedure, which we will strictly follow, unless the quality of
debate must be improved, for which there might be some deviations by the discretion
of the Executive Board.

(Links to refer to the UNA-USA Rules of Procedure:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:c2762f08-1e67-34af-893f-f37d86f4b24a)

2. Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy is essentially what depicts the ideologies or

perspectives that respective nations have on several topics. It is your job to ensure
that, as a proud diplomat, you’re making the right decisions according to your
country's foreign policy.
3. Nature of Sources: The issue of misinformation is one of the key reasons why
several issues and problems arise. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the
right sources of information in order to evade this problem. Therefore, we will only be
accepting the following sources:
a. United Nations Sources
b. Government Sources
c. News Sources:-
i. Reuters
ii. State-operated News Agencies
4. Diplomacy aka Lobbying: The need for International cooperation is a must to solve
any issue, as without it, one’s abilities are often limited throughout the committee.
Therefore, we encourage delegates to advocate diplomacy, work together, establish a
direction for the committee, and form a resolution in the end.
5. Outcome Documentation: In order to display the numerous topics discussed and
establish the various solutions proposed throughout the conference, delegates must
form an outcome document. For this conference, we will be implementing the
establishment of a Draft Resolution as the Final Documentation.
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Background Guide

Introduction to the United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the United
Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The UNSC was
established following World War II with the primary goal of preventing armed conflicts and
maintaining global peace and security. It is composed of 15 member states, five of which are
permanent members with veto power (the P5): United States, Russia, China, United
Kingdom, and France. The other ten members are elected by the General Assembly for
two-year terms. The UNSC has a unique role and significant powers, but it also has
limitations.

The Powers of the UNSC

1. Peacekeeping: The UNSC can authorise the deployment of UN peacekeeping missions to

areas where conflicts have arisen. These missions are tasked with maintaining peace,
protecting civilians, and facilitating post-conflict transitions.

2. Sanctions: The UNSC can impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on Countries or
entities that threaten international peace and security. Sanctions can include arms embargoes,
trade restrictions, and asset freezes.

3. Peace Enforcement: The UNSC can authorise the use of force to maintain or restore
international peace and security. This includes military operations, such as those seen during
the Gulf War or in response to acts of aggression.

4. Conflict Resolution: The UNSC can initiate negotiations and diplomacy to resolve
conflicts, such as mediating peace agreements, ceasefires, and reconciliation Processes.

5. Humanitarian Intervention: In situations where there are widespread human rights

abuses or humanitarian crises, the UNSC can authorise military intervention to protect
civilians, as seen in cases like Kosovo and Libya.

6. Maintain International Law: It plays a role in upholding international law, including the
UN Charter. The UNSC's decisions are legally binding on member states.

7. Emergency Sessions: The UNSC can convene sessions to respond to crises in real time,
allowing for swift international action.
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Background Guide

Brief Historical Context

The Israel-Palestine conflict has a long- standing historical claims as both parties (Israel and
Palestine) claim their right to their ancestral homeland with the exact same Right to
Self-determination yet only Israel's Statehood has been realised till now with no future
scope of any certainty of the same for Palestinian Statehood.

However, the concurrent conflict dates back to the end of the 19th Century when the Jewish
ideology of Zionism was created.

Zionism: Zionism, as defined, calls for the creation of a Jewish National State for the Jewish
Peoples.

While there were many nationalist movements and sentiments among the Jewish Peoples,
Zionism as an ideology was officially created as part of an organised nationalist movement in
1897 by Theodor Herzl when the first Zionist Congress was established.

Soon following this, many Jewish settlers began to immigrate and settle in the then Ottoman
held Palestine due to strong Nationalist sentiments among the Jewish peoples and the
continued support for Jewish Settlement by the Zionist movement.

Soon, an increasing number of Jewish Settlers began to settle in historical Palestine and there
were initial sparks of conflict arising, which was only fueled by the Balfour Declaration
issued by the British in British Mandate Palestine in 1917.

This declaration advocated support for the creation of a Jewish Nationalist State for Jewish
peoples just as the Zionists and the Zionist Movement had wished and was accompanied by
strong support by Jewish Settlers but was disliked among the Palestinians, who saw the
declaration as unjust and a piece of colonial oppression.

The number of Jewish Settlers steadily increased following the Balfour Declaration but
following the Holocaust and anti-Jewish sentiments and oppression of the Jewish peoples by
Nazi Germany, there was an unprecedented number of Jews who immigrated and settled in
British Mandate Palestine.

By now, there was high anti-Zionist sentiments among the Palestinian Arabs, who felt that the
Jewish Settlers were forcibly occupying their land and displacing them and that the British
had betrayed them as they felt that the British were obligated to make a Arab State in
exchange for their support to the British against the Ottoman Empire during World War 1.
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However, the Jewish peoples felt that they were seeking a safe homeland for themselves
following the Holocaust and openly welcomed any efforts that ensured the same.

Following this due to massive outrage and negative publicity and violence erupting from both
sides, the British Mandate became increasingly unpopular in Britain and then an instrumental
decision was

made by the British Government to terminate its mandate from Palestine and return the
Palestinian Question to the United Nations.

The United Nations then deliberated upon the Palestinian Question and came up with United
Nations Resolution 181, or the UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947.

This split the Former British Mandate Palestine into a Jewish State and Palestinian State, but
was met with mixed remarks as it was supported by the Jewish peoples, Settlers and the
Zionist Movement but was rejected and deplored by the Palestinian Arabs who felt that the
plan was biassed towards the Jewish Settlers.

Following this, the British eventually terminated their Mandate in 1948, and the State of
Israel declared its independence 14th May 1948.

Soon following Israel's creation, the Arab States in support of Palestine declared War On the
Israelis and invaded the State of Israel but failed in doing so due to lack of coordination,
delay in tactics, lack of adequate military response from the Arabs and adaptability and
strong military tactics exercised by the Israeli Defence Forces.

The Israelis eventually Fought back and captured many strategic points that were crucial in
the Arab invasion and as such the First Arab-Israeli War concluded with an Israeli Victory
and huge political and territorial gains for Israel.

Following the Arab defeat and Israel's victory, there continued to be a frustration in the
realisation of the Right to Self-determination for the Palestinian Peoples and increasing
tensions between the Arab World and the newly created State of Israel, which culminated in
numerous other wars, all failing to wipe out Israel and only continuing to hamper any
possibility of a successful peace process.

As such, we continue into the modern era where the status quo has considerably changed both
due to external influence and internal factors that continue to only hamper any possibility of
successful peace talks till this day and leading only to increased loss of life and Frustration of
the Right to Self-determination for the Palestinian peoples.
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Background Guide

Historical Timeline:

1. Ottoman Empire and World War I (Late 19th - Early 20th Century):

● In Europe and the Middle East, notably among the Arab and Jewish communities in
the Ottoman-ruled province of Palestine, the late 19th century saw the emergence of
nationalism groups.
● Theodor Herzl was the leader of the Zionist movement, which promoted the creation
of a Jewish homeland. In 1897, the First Zionist Congress was convened.
● After World War I, the Ottoman Empire fell, opening the door for new territorial
arrangements. The Balfour Declaration, published in 1917, said that the British
government supported "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the
Jewish people.

2. British Mandate Period (1920-1948):

● Britain was given the mandate over Palestine by the League of Nations in 1920. The
interests of the Arab majority and the expanding Jewish population had to be balanced
by the British.
● As Jewish immigration grew, tensions rose and conflicts between the two
communities occurred.
● Although the Peel Commission of 1937 suggested division, the idea was rejected by
both Jews and Arabs.
● The Holocaust and World War II accelerated Jewish immigration to Palestine.

3. United Nations Partition and Israeli Independence (1947-1949):

● In 1947, the UN put out a partition plan that would have made Jerusalem the capital
of both the Jewish and Arab governments in Palestine. Arab authorities rejected the
concept, while Jewish leaders approved of it.
● The 1948 Arab-Israeli War began as a result of surrounding Arab states intervening
after Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, 1948.
● Thousands of Palestinian Arabs were uprooted as a result of the conflict, and Israel's
boundaries were established, creating long-lasting refugee and territorial concerns.

4. Post-War Years and Regional Conflicts (1950s-1960s):

● There were numerous wars in the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Six-Day War in 1967
and the Suez Crisis in 1956.
● The occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights
following Israel's victory in the Six-Day War changed the nature of the conflict.
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● In 1967, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 242, emphasising the concepts
of territorial withdrawal and the right to safe and respected borders.

5. Oslo Accords and Peace Process (1990s):

● Beginning in the early 1990s, the Oslo Accords sought to provide a framework
for talks on peace between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO).
● The agreements resulted in the creation of the Palestinian Authority, which has
limited autonomy, in some areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
● The peace process was hampered by the 1995 murder of Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin and related events.

6. Continued Struggles and Recent Developments (2000s-Present):

● The Second Intifada, which lasted from 2000 to 2005, was characterized by
increased violence, including suicide bombings, Israeli military operations,
and the reoccupation of some West Bank settlements.
● Negotiations were intended to be revived through diplomatic initiatives like
the Roadmap for Peace and the Annapolis Conference, but they ran into
problems.
● Progress is still being hampered by the construction of settlements, the rule of
East Jerusalem, and disagreements about borders, refugees, and the status of
holy sites.
● Continuous onward aggression causing severe loss of life.
● Continued Israeli Military operations raised to counter security concerns posed
by Israel.
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Background Guide

Current Situation:

The current status quo is the Israel Palestine conflict is a complex one, created due to
intriguing geopolitical changes in the international community as many peace processes have
been attempted by both sides which have failed due to many such events and contexts which
were previously otherwise beneficial now inadequate, neither side wished to make any
compromises and as such despite repeated attempts at peace talks, there is a lack of
accountable diplomacy between both parties.

This status quo was only perpetuated by the October 7th incident where Hamas, a militant
group that controls the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist group by many countries
invaded Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip.

The issue of October 7th has since then been in debate with both sides deliberating on the
justifications for either; many Arab States have claimed that the continued frustration of
Palestinian Statehood and lack of self determination for the Palestinian peoples as the root
cause for the attack while much of the International community denounced the attack as an
act of terrorism.

However, the situation has considerably worsened due to the Israeli assault on Rafah, and its
Operation in the Gaza Strip including other complex geopolitical factors created by external
actors for their own vested Interests.

Palestinian Leadership and its constituents:

The Palestinian leadership has been through complex geopolitical situations which have
culminated in the fracture of political entities sparked by internal division due to differences
in ideologies and the purpose of their policies.

The two main political parties in the Palestinian Leadership are the Fatah Party and Hamas. A
lack of reconciliation efforts between these 2 entities have strained diplomatic engagement
and have hampered any means of a sustainable process for Palestinian Statehood.
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Palestinian Authority (PA)

The Palestinian Authority was created due to the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and is recognized
as the representative of the Palestinian peoples by the International community.

It has limited jurisdiction and government capabilities only governing in certain parts of the
West Bank however, the Palestinian Authority faces significant challenges that limit its
governmental capabilities due to corruption, lack of democratic process and declining public
support for the Palestinian Leadership because of its stagnation towards a peace process.

The Palestinian leadership has failed to negotiate or facilitate any diplomatically accountable
measures to do so as it continues to lack any means of avocation to ensure confidence
building measures between Israelis and Palestinians and as such many criticisms have been
raised regarding its legitimacy to accede as the State of Palestine.

The Palestinian leadership continues to seek international support, and has made small
progress towards it through increasing support for the Palestinian cause but it still lacks the
means to make any substantive gains for achievement of any of its realisations.

The future of Palestinian leadership remains clouded, heavily influenced by internal divisions
and vested interests from external actors further perpetuated with the ongoing conflict with
Israel, and the shifting dynamics of regional contexts through complex geopolitical changes
in recent times which have significantly changed the traditional status quo seen during the
Twentieth century.

This has undeniably hampered efforts for a renewed peace process and improved diplomatic
engagement with Israel and any progress towards a lasting resolution and as such restoration
of International peace and security.
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Background Guide

Role of International actors in the conflict:

International and regional stakeholders have played a significant part in the conflict, both
positively and negatively.

Historically, two factions or sides were formed, during the cold war, the Eastern bloc
including the Arab World, Communist States and other Soviet allies supported the Palestinian
cause and promoted Palestinian Statehood and the realisation of the Right to
Self-determination for the Palestinian peoples and often militarily aided the Palestinians
during any such conflicts.

The Eastern bloc also often supported means of violence and war, justifying it in support of
the Palestinian peoples against Israel, the most notable of all conflicts was the Yom Kippur
War in 1973 which ended in a military victory for Israel and a Political victory for Egypt,
which succeeded in diplomatic engagement with Israel and gained the Sinai Peninsula back.

Such positive momentum as seen during the Camp David Accords also set precedence for
future peace processes and re-ignited hope for positive diplomatic engagement with Israel.
International actors in recent years have also played a significant part in bringing such
positive momentum as seen during the Abraham Accords.

However, most Arab and Islamic States continue to stand in utmost solidarity with Palestine
and have taken extensive measures to extend the possibility of any realisations of Palestinian
Statehood and continue to support the Palestinian cause, often denouncing any form of
support for Israel.

The Western bloc however supported Israel and often aided it militarily during its wars and
also supported it extensively diplomatically on the world stage, the most notable support from
the West came from the United States of America, the biggest benefactor of Israel.

The United States of America has played a significant role in this conflict, it has vetoed and
continues to veto multiple resolutions that are in favour of the creation of a Palestinian State
and has significant diplomatic leverage over this conflict.

It has often been the primary guarantor during any peace processes that took place and
continues to portray itself as an accountable guarantor that the international community
should affirm. It was the diplomatic broker during the Oslo Accords and continues to be so,
as recently as the 2020 peace plan by the Trump administration.
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The United States of America has also been in support of Israel's policies including its stance
on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,
which it has stopped the funding of due to concerns raised by Israel regarding the UNRWA’s
lack of commitment to its goals and objectives and even being biassed against Israel.

Other major stakeholders such as the Russian Federation and China have also continued to
support various other stakeholders, often at their own vested interests. This also includes,
increasing ties with the Arab World and to a certain extent, increasing their ties with Hamas.

Russia and China continue to economically engage with the Arab World and increase their
ties as the International community continues to fragment into a multipolar World order, with
decreasing western bloc influence over the Middle East and waning support for Israel. All
regional stakeholders continue to engage in this conflict one way or the other, some have
shown support for a 2 State solution, while others have rejected such a notion, either at the
current Status Quo or for their own vested interests, both of which continue to hamper any
progress on the Palestinian Question.

Self Determination for the Palestinian Peoples and Palestinian Statehood:

The basic nuance remains the same with or without the involvement of such factors: The
issue of Palestinian Statehood still remains something that needs to be answered with the
issue of the Right to Self-determination for the Palestinian peoples being something that is
currently pending, and as such it is something that needs to be brought up in the international
community.

The right to self determination of all peoples is defined as erga omnes or Universal and
Undeniable, yet the current situation has not seen any realisation of this right for Palestinians,
reasons wary but most notably of them all it is because of failure of any peace process
including recent ones such as the Ehud Olmert Plan or the 2020 United States Peace Plan,
both of which the Palestinian Liberation organisation rejected.

This as such has resulted in the Palestinian Authority seeking to accede as the State of
Palestine despite significant jurisdiction issues such as the expiration of the Palestine
Legislative Council in 2010.

Criticisms have also been raised as per the Palestinian Authority's eligibility to accede as the
State of Palestine considering its Right To Self Determination has not yet been realised and it
fails to effectively govern its own territories and fails to classify as a State under the four
criteria for Statehood under the Montevideo Convention.
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Failure to reconcile with its internal divisions has also resulted in significant delay for
Palestinian Statehood as issues regarding its ability to act pursuant to General Assembly
Resolution 2734, which calls calls for striking a balance between the exercise right to
self-determination and prohibition on ‘any action which would dismember or impair, totally
or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States
conducting themselves in compliance with the principle of equal rights and
self-determination of peoples’.

This balance has not yet been struck in the current situation as of now only Israel's right to
self determination has been realised. Israel has also raised numerous concerns that such a
realisation of the Palestinian Right to Self Determination will be infringing on its territorial
integrity and sovereignty and will impair its ability to govern its territories.

Security Council's Responsibility To the Palestinian Question:

The Security Council has a special responsibility to restore International peace and security
as per Its mandate and general goal, as such it holds high relevance in the current situation of
the Israel Palestine conflict.

Many such important ceasefire resolutions and numerous other resolutions involving the two
State solution have been continuously vetoed and as such the Palestinian Question remains
pending with no clear answer.

And while the UNSC has addressed many such security concerns raised by Member States, it
has as of now failed to put a decisive solution to this conflict. As such, the Security Council
must find a way that benefits all parties through a multilateral solution that not only restores
international peace and security but satisfies the realisation of the Palestinian Question, the
means of which shall be established by complex geopolitical jargon.

Future scope of Peace between Israel and Palestine:

Ever since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, there have been numerous wars,
acts of violence, immense suffering, and losses of life on both sides that have been ongoing
for more than seven decades. In order to end this longstanding conflict, a mutual
understanding between both parties must be formed.

After the Six-Day War of 1967, many argue that the occupation and blockades that were
imposed on the Palestinian Territories proved to have led to a great humanitarian crisis,
restricting civilian movement, increasing civilian dependency on aid, high levels of poverty,
and limited access to resources.
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The longstanding conflict has had a severe impact on not only the citizens but has also had
great effects inflicted on states in the Middle East region. Finding a solution to this conflict
would help improve Israeli relations with its Arab neighbours and would diminish the
chances of sparking wider conflicts and civilian casualties in the future.

Both sides have been accused in the past of violating international humanitarian law and
human rights during this conflict, such as racial discrimination and restrictions on their rights.
Resolving the conflict would result in equal rights and opportunities being granted to both
Israelis and Palestinians, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.

Historically, there has been a great economic impact on both Israel and Palestine during this
deep-rooted conflict. This is due to the occupation and limitations on movement and trade,
which restrict the growth of one’s economy and living standards for civilians. Cooperation
and trade between Israel and a future Palestinian state would benefit both parties.

Both Israelis and Palestinians have strong historical and religious ties to the land, along with
legitimate aspirations for security, self-determination, and the need for a better future for their
children. If this conflict were to cease then it would lead to both parties realising each other’s
aspirations and sovereign rights.

As such, a sustainable peace process with a clear framework that involves all parties and
satisfies their concerns is crucial if there is a balance to be struck between the Right to Self
Determination of both parties.

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that there is an utmost need to establish peace amongst both
the respective parties in-order to attain friendly relations among nations and restore
international peace and security.

Guiding Questions:

1. How can we address the security concerns posed by Parties to the Conflict?
2. How can we address the issue of accountability for actions with regards to the current
situation?
3. How can we effectively address issues of accession on the basis of Statehood and
Right to Self determination without infringement of territorial integrity?
4. How can we effectively conclude diplomatic engagement with positive reconciliation
efforts?
5. How can we effectively deliberate on means of facilitating commitment obligations
among parties both external and internal to the Conflict?
6. What repercussions could be imposed upon States and Violent Non-State Actors
(VNSAs) which constantly violate International Law in the conflict?
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7. What measures can the Security Council introduce in-order to minimise civilian
casualties during the conflict?
8. How can a balance be struck between the Right to self Determination of both the
Palestinian peoples and Israeli peoples?

Prognosis from the Executive Board on basis of Guiding Questions:

Additionally aside from what we have to deliberated upon in our letter, we expect the
delegates to act pursuant to the Guiding questions as per their countries stance and as such
address any relevant concerns in the United Nations Security Council.

The Executive Board also wishes to see the Delegates reflect on the Security Council's
responsibilities as mentioned and delve into possible means to find a unique solution, while
the Delegates as upto their own discretion when it comes to how they wish to address such a
solution, the Executive Board does expect them to at least reflect that nuance.

We would also like delegates to go through the research links given below and frame their
arguments in a constructive manner to ensure smooth flow of the committee.

The board expects the delegates to give importance to geopolitical jargon and how Nations
engage in diplomatic efforts with vested interests including means that may be established by
the delegates themselves during the course of the committee.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE LINKS FOR RESEARCH

● https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/02/22/impartial-international-justice-mechanism
s-together-international-support-needed
● https://unric.org/en/israel-palestine-the-role-of-international-justice/
● https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-196558/
● https://www.un.org/unispal/document/ceirpp-legal-study2023/
● https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15743.doc.htm
● https://blogs.icrc.org/ilot/2017/08/07/jus-ad-bellum-jus-bello/
● https://www.un.org/unispal/data-collection/general-assembly/
● https://www.un.org/unispal/data-collection/security-council/
● https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un-documents/middle-east-including-the-
palestinian-question/

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