United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 remains to this day, almost 36 years after it was adopted unanimously, the only internationally-agreed framework for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict. The principle of exchanging land for peace, as expressed in resolution 242, has been the foundation of US, Western and Arab peacemaking efforts.
Yet it has also been the subject of a heated debate. Notably the centrepiece of resolution 242, calling for “Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict”, has been interpreted in significantly different ways by the parties concerned. While to the Arabs this means the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces to the positions they held before the outbreak of hostilities – a return to the status quo ante - the proponents of the Israeli position assert that the omission of the definite article before the word “territories” is aimed at enabling territorial revisions or aggrandizement, particularly in connection with the resolution’s second operating paragraph and the mentioning of “secure and recognized boundaries” therein.
The aim of the following essay is to analyse the meaning of UN Security Council Resolution 242. It will start by describing the historical context it is embedded in, namely the events surrounding the June War of 1967. In chapter three, the circumstances preceding the adoption of resolution 242, notably the diplomatic efforts prior to the voting, will be depicted. The next section deals with the differing interpretations of the withdrawal clause. In subchapter 4 c) it will be argued that the adoption of resolution 242 was only made possible due to a number of assurances, given to the Arabs in general and to King Hussein of Jordan in particular, about the intended meaning of the withdrawal clause. Finally, in the conclusions, results shall be summarised and future prospects of a successful implementation of resolution 242 outlined.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Historical Context: The June War of 1967
- The Making of Resolution 242
- Draft Resolutions
- Weeks of Intensive Diplomacy
- The Withdrawal Clause
- “The” of not “The” – About the Absence of the Definite Article
- The Withdrawal Clause in other UN Languages
- The Intended Meaning of the Withdrawal Clause
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the meaning of UN Security Council Resolution 242 and its significance in the context of the Middle East conflict. It explores the historical background of the resolution, particularly the events leading up to the June War of 1967, and examines the diplomatic efforts that culminated in its adoption.
- The historical context of the June War of 1967
- The process of drafting and adopting Resolution 242
- The different interpretations of the withdrawal clause
- The significance of the "intended meaning" of the withdrawal clause
- The potential for a peaceful settlement based on Resolution 242
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by providing a detailed account of the June War of 1967, outlining the escalating tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors, culminating in a decisive Israeli victory.
Chapter 3 delves into the process of crafting Resolution 242, exploring various draft resolutions and the extensive diplomatic negotiations that preceded its unanimous adoption. The essay highlights the differing perspectives of the parties involved.
Chapter 4 focuses on the withdrawal clause, a key element of Resolution 242. It examines the debate over the significance of the definite article and the different interpretations held by the parties involved. The chapter then explores the intended meaning of the withdrawal clause, arguing that it was based on assurances given to Arab leaders.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core keywords and concepts explored in this essay include: United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, June War of 1967, Middle East conflict, withdrawal clause, territorial revisions, secure and recognized boundaries, intended meaning, diplomacy, peacemaking efforts.
- Quote paper
- Belabbes Benkredda (Author), 2003, United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and the Controversy Over Varying Interpretations of the Withdrawal Clause, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/14097
