UN Override US Veto: Gaza Peacekeepers & Arms Embargo
Here’s a breakdown of the key points and arguments presented in the text:
Key Arguments:
U.S. Isolation and Failure: The speaker argues that the U.S. is increasingly isolated on the issue of Palestine and that attempts to silence the Palestinian voice at the UN will fail. They cite the 1988 barring of Yasser Arafat as a past example where the U.S. was isolated.
“Uniting for peace” Resolution: The speaker highlights the “Uniting for Peace” resolution as a mechanism for the UN General Assembly to circumvent the U.S. veto in the Security Council and take action on Palestine.
Concrete Actions Possible: The speaker suggests several concrete actions that coudl be adopted through the ”Uniting for Peace” resolution, including:
Mandating a UN protection force for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Denying Israel’s credentials in the UN General Assembly (as was done with apartheid South Africa).
Establishing a criminal tribunal to hold Israeli perpetrators accountable.
Reactivating anti-apartheid mechanisms to deal with Israeli apartheid.
Israel’s Lack of Sovereignty: The speaker emphasizes that the International Court of Justice has found that Israel has no sovereignty in Gaza or the West Bank, meaning it has no legal right to refuse or obstruct the intervention of a protection force requested by the State of Palestine.
Supporting Points:
Ancient precedent: The speaker cites the 1956 deployment of a UN emergency force to the Sinai during the Suez Crisis as an example of the “Uniting for Peace” resolution being used effectively against the wishes of Security Council members.
Majority Support: The speaker believes that there is sufficient support in the General Assembly to pass resolutions related to Palestine with the required two-thirds majority.
* Palestinian Request: The speaker notes that the state of palestine has requested a protection force.
Overall Message:
The speaker is advocating for the UN General Assembly to take decisive action on Palestine,using the “Uniting for Peace” resolution to bypass the U.S. veto and implement measures to protect Palestinians and hold Israel accountable. They believe that the legal and political conditions are favorable for such action.