Analyzing the Impact of UN Peacekeeping and Diplomacy on the Arab-Israeli Conflict

The significance of the peacekeeping and diplomacy efforts of the United Nations in attempts to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict has been both notable and limited throughout history. The United Nations played a crucial role in the early stages of the conflict, especially during the first phase of the 1948-49 war and subsequent conflicts. In this period, the UN supervised armistices between Israel and Arab states, creating buffer zones and facilitating peace agreements. The UN's involvement in conflicts such as those in 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982 also demonstrated its capabilities as a peacekeeper, with instances where superpowers relied on the UN to mediate and enforce peace agreements. For example, in 1956, the UN ordered French and British forces to leave Egypt, showcasing its ability to maintain peace and intervene in conflicts.

The establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to police hotspots and the passing of UN Resolutions like Resolution 242, which called for the removal of Israeli forces from occupied territories, further highlighted the UN's diplomatic efforts in addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict. The creation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 1973 also played a role in overseeing Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, showcasing the UN's commitment to maintaining peace in the region.

Furthermore, key moments such as Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN and General Assembly Resolution 3379, which equated Zionism with racism, also had implications for the conflict and highlighted the UN's involvement in addressing controversial issues.

However, the significance of the UN's role in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict has diminished in more recent years, particularly after the end of the Cold War. The UN has been sidelined at times by the United States and other major powers, leading to unilateral involvement in the conflict. Moreover, other diplomatic efforts outside of the UN, such as the role of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and figures like Yasser Arafat in the 1980s, President Carter and Clinton's involvement, and key peace agreements like the Camp David Accords and Oslo Agreements, have been more significant in advancing peace efforts in the region.

Therefore, while the United Nations has played a significant role in the history of attempting to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict through peacekeeping and diplomacy, its influence has waned in comparison to other key players and diplomatic initiatives in more recent years.