The United Nations Recognition of Palestine: A Conservative/Logical Critique
On November 29, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 67/19 upgrading Palestine to non-member observer state status, a decision that has since been contentious. As of June 2024, 144 of the 193 UN member states have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. However, from a conservative standpoint, this recognition raises significant concerns, especially considering the documented ideology and actions of Hamas, a significant political and military force within Palestinian territories.
One crucial aspect of the conservative critique rests on the information found in Hamas’ foundational document, the 1988 Hamas Covenant. The document expounds on Hamas' commitment to jihad and its stark stance against Israel and Jews. For instance, the Covenant states, “Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." This declaration unequivocally underscores Hamas' aim to destroy the Jewish state through a religious war, rather than seeking peaceful coexistence.
Anti-Semitic and Jihadist Ideology
The Hamas Covenant is replete with anti-Semitic rhetoric and calls for jihad. Article Seven of the Covenant states, "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews). The Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him."
Such proclamations are not just religious dogma but are meant to serve as marching orders for adherents, fostering a culture of violence and hatred against Jews universally.
Radical Ideological Alignment
Hamas explicitly ties itself to the broader Islamic movement of the Moslem Brotherhood, as stated in Article Two: "The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of Moslem Brotherhood in Palestine." The Moslem Brotherhood is known for its radical and extensive network designed to spread its version of political Islam, which often contradicts the democratic values and principles on which the United Nations stands.
Jihad as a Strategy
The Covenant notably emphasizes jihad as the principal method for achieving its goals. As declared in Article Thirteen: “There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors.” This rejection of peaceful negotiations and reliance on violent struggle is antithetical to the foundational tenets of the United Nations, which aims to promote peace and resolve conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Implications For United Nations Membership
Given Hamas' substantial influence in Palestinian politics, including its governance of the Gaza Strip, the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state inevitably casts a shadow on its potential role within the UN. The conservative critique is that the UN, by recognizing Palestine, indirectly endorses an entity significantly influenced by an organization that promotes terrorism and anti-Semitism. This, in turn, compromises the UN’s integrity and its objective of fostering global peace and human rights.
Diplomatic and Geopolitical Ramifications
The elevation of Palestine’s status has enabled it to join international treaties and organizations, pursue legal actions in the International Criminal Court, and assert sovereignty over its territories. From a conservative perspective, this development emboldens an entity with a documented commitment to violent jihad and anti-Semitic ideologies to leverage international platforms meant for peaceful and constructive engagement.
Moreover, the recognition of Palestinian statehood without addressing the radical elements within its governance structure is seen as a diplomatic setback. It potentially undermines the position of allies like the United States and Israel, who voted against the resolution, based on concerns over Hamas' influence and activities.
Conclusion
While the conservative viewpoint acknowledges the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination, it raises alarms over the recognition of a state significantly influenced by an organization like Hamas. The ethos and actions espoused by Hamas, as detailed in their Covenant, pose major ethical and security concerns. These concerns question the prudence of the United Nations' decision, emphasizing that the endorsement of Palestinian statehood without managing or countering these radical and violent elements can undermine the very principles of peace and justice the UN seeks to uphold.
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