Co-chairs: Olivia Crocker and Roshan Morey Moderator: Komal Agnihotri
Position Papers will be due February 5th, 2021. The position paper format, and all other important conference documents can be found on our conference website, http://lhhsconference.weebly.com/. Email all position papers to our committee email: [email protected]Feel free to contact us via email if you have any questions or concerns!
Hello, my name is Olivia Crocker and I will be one of your co-chairs for our 2021 conference. I am a senior at Laguna Hills High School and I have been in MUN since my freshman year. I am currently on both the varsity water polo and swim team and have been for three years. In my free time, I love going to the beach with my friends or taking my dog for beach walks. I can not wait for our conference and for me to meet you all!
Hello everyone, my name is Roshan Morey and I will be your co-chair for our 2021 conference. I am a senior at Laguna Hills High School and I have been involved in MUN since freshman year. I am currently on the varsity tennis team and I have won the league championships every year and I have been MVP every year. I am also ranked in the top 100 in the nation, and I will be playing tennis at Pomona College in Claremont California. Look forward to seeing you all in committee.
Hey everyone! My name is Komal Agnihotri and I will be your moderator for our annual 2021 conference. I am a sophomore at LHHS and this is my 2nd year at MUN. On campus, I am part of JSA, CSF, and the Cosmetology club. I’ve been a part of cross country for two years now and also enjoy swimming. MUN has helped me improve my speaking skills and exposed me to many relevant issues we have today. I look forward to meeting you all in committee!
Topic: Sovereignty of Palestine in West Asia
Background The economic issue regarding the sovereignty of Palestine first arose in 1968, mortality rates were hitting new highs, and the capita per GDP rapidly declined in 1992. Though through the Paris Protocol in 1993, an agreement was formed to bring prosperity to the Palestinian economy. Again, in 1993, the Oslo Accords were signed, otherwise seen as an Israel-Palestine agreement. The Oslo Accords formally recognized the state of Israel, and Palestinians were given self-governance in parts of Israel- most notably Gaza and the West Bank. The biggest economic issue still remains between Israel and Palestine. There was a continuation of labour flows and bilateral trade, which proved to be unfair for Palestinians. Trade imports to Palestine were hardly existent as it was seen as irrelevant, and the majority of trade would be going to Israel instead. Lastly, more Palestinians would work under the Israeli labour market for shortly higher wages, as a result of the crippling economy. More recently, aid was provided to Palestinian refugees, but peace has not been achieved.
UN Involvement The United Nations has shown activism regarding sovereignty of Palestine over their resources by passing a numerous amount of resolutions in order to help the Palestinian territory. On November 14, 2019, 2nd Ecofin committee introduced 26 resolutions in which 6 were approved. The Arab League as well as the OIC immediately published statements in favor of Palestine against Israel. The Security Council, on the other hand, stresses the importance of a negotiation between both nations. “Thieves and killers must be brought to justice, she said, calling for Israel to be held accountable and for the international community to consider sanctions against Israeli products.”(United Nations). With this being said, the observer for the State of Palestine recognizes Israel’s actions and believes they should pay for their violent actions. The General Assembly, on the other hand, has passed a resolution back in 1975 to enable the Palestinians to practice their rights as human beings, including independence as well as sovereignty. Recently, the mandate has been called to be renewed on an annual basis meaning this resolution is still in action and has been receiving the attention that it deserves by the United Nations brought by the General Assembly. One solution to this issue is implementing a two state solution. A two state solution would allow Palestinians to have self-governing powers over their own state, and would put the Israeli’s and Palestinians on an equal playing field. Most importantly, it would allow each group the chance to protect their ethnic identities.
Country Blocs African Group: The African region is highly volatile due to instability in its economy, being mostly congested with developing nation-states. Countries such as Sudan have previously supported Palestine in the past to stop Israel’s efforts of expansion into the African continent. Many other countries have followed Sudan’s footsteps in advocating for the rights of Palestinians. Palestine has also greatly networked in the region by attending conferences such as the 27th Summit of the African Union in 2016. These actions bring these two distant regions together and make the israeli-palestine conflict more controversial.
Asia Pacific Group: The Asia Pacific group is a diverse region filled with many countries that have an abundance of access to natural resources and capital. This makes this region a prominent goal of both Israel and Palestine to make bilateral connections with, as it would ultimately increase the international status of either country. Furthermore, Palestine has been largely successful in securing the advocacy of the biggest influencer in the region, China. It has continuously supported Palestine’s motives to secure their own land rights and to attain East Jerusalem as the country’s capital. Another large influencer and advocate of Palestinian’s is India, which has helped the Palestinian economy through trade agreements and negotiations. These events strengthen Palestine’s role in both Asia and the international community.
European Group: European countries have long had interest in the Israeli-Palestine conflict in the Middle East. One of the largest governmental organizations in the region, the European Union, has called for an end to the war between these two countries and has advocated for a resolution regarding a two-state system. Europe’s failure in creating a multilateral solution is largely due to their inability to effectively monitor the crisis. A two-state system is not possible for the foreseeable future, and the lack of EU’s authority to control the crisis due to the US's support of Israel only makes the passing of a resolution harder. Latin American And Caribbean Group:
The Latin American region had largely supported Palestine’s effort to achieve its own independent state in the Middle East. However, support for Israel in this region has grown recently due to the United States support for Israel. Countries such as Paraguay and Guatemala have already moved their embassies into Jerusalem and many more countries, such as Brazil and Honduras, are following their footsteps. The problem lies with the United States influence over such countries, as without the US’s support and aid their economies would crash and the administration’s political reputation would turn into turmoil. Thus, Israel has been able to sway public opinion in the Latin American bloc with the help of the US’s international influence.
Questions to Consider
Is there a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict that would result in both international peace and greater economic prosperity for both parties?
Does the factor of influence, such as the United States and China, have a large effect as to the resolutions that can be created between Israel and Palestine?
To what degree should the international community be involved with crises in the Middle East?
What long-term and short-term economic effects will occur in the Middle East that can motivate the international community to reach a resolution?
What economic policies can be implemented that would ease the tension of both Palestine and Israel in the region (Ex: trade agreements)?
Sources:
Baeza, Cecilia. “Why Did Latin America Stop Standing up for Palestine?” Honduras | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 9 June 2018, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/latin-america-stop-standing-palestine-180605135948649.html.
“Home - Question of Palestine.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/unispal/.
“'Palestinians, Sudan Working to Restrain Israeli Breakthrough in Africa'.” The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com, 21 July 2016, www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Palestinians-Sudan-working-to-restrain-Israeli-breakthrough-in-Africa-462034.
“Second Committee Approves 6 Resolutions, Including on Compensation for Oil Slick off Lebanon's Coast, Sovereignty of Palestinians over Their Natural Resources | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/press/en/2019/gaef3526.doc.htm.