Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Wednesday 25 November 2015

David Singer: UN Security Council Must Get Serious On Destroying Islamic State

Here's the latest article by Sydney lawyer and international affairs analyst David Singer.

He writes:

Brussels in lock-down, mayhem in Mali and the shooting down of a Russian war plane by Turkey have swiftly followed the unanimous passage on 20 November 2015 of an ineffectual French-sponsored Security Council Resolution 2249 ( 2015) in the record breaking time of just 34 minutes.

Resolution 2249 once again showed up the Security Council’s continuing reluctance to seriously deal with destroying Islamic State – even though the resolution itself determined that:
“the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security”
Such an “unprecedented threat” only produced this limp-listed response calling:
“upon Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular with the United Nations Charter, as well as international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, on the territory under the control of ISIL also known as Da’esh, in Syria and Iraq, to redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Da’esh as well as ANF, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council, pursuant to the statement of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) of 14 November, and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria”
The result:
1. Russia with Iran and Hezbollah
2. The 62-nation coalition led by America
3. France reeling from Islamic State atrocities committed in Paris
are now all conducting their own independent mini-wars on different terrorist groups and targets in Syria and Iraq – instead of focusing on their one common agreed enemy – Islamic State.
That a Russian fighter plane could be shot down by Turkey – both members of the ISSG – highlights the continuing folly of failing to have one military force under one military commander with the full support of all 193 United Nation member States.

Even more amazingly Resolution 2249 was passed despite this warning from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on 18 November:
“The Security Council needs to give preferential attention to the task of creating a solid legal foundation for the fight against this evil [Islamic State] and for the mobilization of an actual global coalition in response to this common uncompromising challenge for us all”.
Russia must now be ruing its decision to support the passage of Resolution 2249 – rather than insisting on the Security Council passing a Resolution under article 42 of the UN Charter directed specifically at Islamic State to:
“take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations.” 
Article 43 of the Charter would then have obliged:
1. All Members of the United Nations to undertake to make available to the Security Council armed forces, assistance, and facilities, including rights of passage
2. Agreements being made governing the numbers and types of forces, their degree of readiness and general location, and the nature of the facilities and assistance to be provided – such agreements to be negotiated as soon as possible on the initiative of the Security Council.
How many more atrocities and military misadventures must occur before the Security Council gets really serious on destroying Islamic State with its own UN-authorized global military force?

5 comments:

  1. Two great cartoons that tell the story of what is happening under our very eyes. Without UN armed intervention it will soon not seem that funny - not that there is much to laugh about anyway at this given moment.

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  2. Syria encapsulates perfectly what the UN stands for and how it operates.

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  3. Hilarious
    Cameron At The Strategic Defence Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1OVtNBSktI

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    Replies
    1. Britain rules the Knaves! Love the glowering on Corbyn's face as he tries to look statesmanlike. Not that I like "Call me Dave" much.

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