Israel should pay attention to UN resolutions, but should not demonize them – opinion

This month, the UN General Assembly approved a plan that, according to French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, “describes a unified path to resolving the issue of two state entities.” Many world leaders seem eager to punish Israeli voters for keeping Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition in power.

What is the purpose of such a resolution?

Practically, writes www.jns.org, this event will have no effect, as the UN lacks mechanisms for its implementation. The main goal of the resolution is to intimidate Israel and its supporters, prompting them to make new concessions. The fight against Hamas, as an official goal of the Israeli government, has been discussed since the terrorist attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Seriousness and Significance of the Vote

How seriously can this vote be taken?

Netanyahu previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the UN. In March 1955, David Ben-Gurion, then Israel’s Minister of Defense, disdainfully referred to the UN as “Um” with the dismissive addition “Um-Shmum.” He used this Yiddishism to express the insignificance of the issue being discussed during debates on his plan to capture the Gaza Strip in response to terrorist attacks. Ben-Gurion understood the need for actions to protect Israel’s national security, regardless of possible international consequences.

Ben-Gurion’s Strategies

In his time, significant steps included the construction of a nuclear reactor in Dimona and the trial of the main Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann.

Additionally, he introduced strict security measures for Arabs in Israel. Ben-Gurion recognized the moral weakness of the UN, where every country—no matter how brutal—has equal voting rights with democratic states. This is evident, for example, in the General Assembly equating genocidal Sudan with progressive Mexico.

Value Discrepancies

• Misogynistic Saudi Arabia and egalitarian Belgium have equal voting weight.
• A country with black African slavery, like Mauritania, is perceived on par with Israel, which saves these people.
• Monarchs, like in Jordan, must be considered equal to elected presidents.

The UN Security Council also carries problems. Russia, waging aggression against Ukraine, and China, supporting terrorist regimes, have the same veto rights as the other permanent members: France, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Every country, even non-democratic ones, gets the opportunity to influence council decisions from ten non-permanent seats.

Illusions of the International Community

Many states cast their votes not based on moral standards but according to their narrow interests or fears. The UN resolution on the status of the Palestinian state is a sham; strange ideas about democracy or dictatorship are not considered. Complex realities, such as the possibility of Hamas ousting the PA from power, are ignored.

Such considerations do not matter in the absurd world of the UN.

Conclusion and Opinion of the Israeli Representative

Interestingly, Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, stated that “this unilateral declaration will not be perceived as a step towards peace, but merely as an empty gesture undermining trust in the Assembly.” These words reflect the real state of affairs.