The conflict globally Why is the whole world involved in the conflict?
From China to New Zealand and from South Africa to Russia, the war unfolding in the Gaza Strip is discussed.
But despite great commitment, few have any real power in the Middle East. With one big exception:
The United States, which keeps a protective hand over Israel.
USA
President: Joe Biden Role in the conflict: Israel’s most important ally Supports Israel militarily, economically and politically.
It is almost a law of nature in the United States that Israel is the country’s close ally. This has been the case since Israel was created in 1948 – and it will probably be this way for a long time to come.
– That means military, economic and diplomatic support. All these keys are played on in this war as well, says Marte Heian-Engdal.
It’s not just because there are just over 5 million Jews living in the US, who make up 2.4 percent of the US population. Israel also has great support among the country’s many evangelical Christians and among US politicians.
Israel and the USA strongly identify with each other, says Jørgen Jensehaugen.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on 18 October in Israel. There he promised unwavering support for the country.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on 18 October in Israel. There he promised unwavering support for the country.
– In addition to Israel, the United States is the actor in the world that can really do something to stop the war, says Jensehaugen.
The US is important to the conflict on three levels:
On the ground The US supplies Israel with money and weapons. In the region the US sends aircraft carriers and soldiers to deter others. Internationally the US protects Israel in the UN Security Council.
The US supports Israel with around 3.8 billion dollars a year. Almost everything this is weapons support.
The day after Hamas attacked Israel, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the American USS Gerald R. Ford, set course for the eastern Mediterranean.
It was a clear message to Iran and the groups they support to stay out of the war.
Israel is the only country in the region that has advanced F35 aircraft – thanks to the US.
The US will be at odds with Israel. All the experts NRK has spoken to agree on that. But the tone has changed somewhat.
– The US has a theoretical opportunity to say: Now it has gone too far, we are taking a break in arms deliveries. But they are unlikely to do that, says Jensehaugen.
The US now says it wants a humanitarian “pause” in the attacks, in order to bring in more emergency aid to Gaza.
But even though they are close allies, Israel does not do everything the US asks.
The US is one of five countries with veto power in the UN. There is a high temperature when they discuss the great civilian suffering in Gaza.
FN
Secretary-General: António GuterresRole in the conflict: Emergency aid on the groundArena for international diplomacy
– The UN’s most important role in this conflict is what they do on the ground in Gaza.
So says Richard Gowan at the International Crisis Group, an organization that researches global crises.
For several years, the UN has worked to deliver emergency aid and medicines in the Gaza Strip, where they also run schools, health care and refugee camps.
Now they are coordinating the emergency aid coming in from Egypt.
At the same time, a “political theatre” is taking place» at the UN in New York, says Gowan.
Both friends and enemies of Israel show up there.
So far, it has led to a non-binding decision on a ceasefire in the UN General Assembly.
– It is a clear signal, but means little on the ground, says Gowan.
Because it is the UN Security Council, with the veto powers of the USA, Great Britain, France, China and Russia, that decides in the UN.
The Security Council can have great power if they agree: They can, for example, demand a truce. The UN has sent peacekeeping forces to the region several times, including after the wars in 1967 and 1973.
But even if the UN agrees, Israel can do as they wish.
In any case, the UN does not stop the war, says Gowan. Their job comes next.
– At some point, Israel and the US can agree that it is time to end the war. And and can the UN play a greater role, he says.
Israel has long criticized the UN for being pro-Palestinian, and has, among other things, demanded Secretary-General António Guterres’ resignation.
– Israel’s history consists of seven decades of dissatisfaction with the direction of the UN and the body’s resolutions – and very little will to comply with them, points out Marte Heian-Engdal.
Nevertheless, the game in the UN is important, because it can lead to increased political pressure for a solution.
There is also a lot of talk about the war in Brussels. But it has been a long time since Europe was important in the Middle East.
EU
President: Ursula von der Leyen Role in the conflict: Minor role Historically central to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine
As the scene of the Second World War where 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, Europe has largely supported Israel since the country was established in 1948.
Europe’s history as a colonial power means that countries such as France and Great Britain are still widely involved in the region.
In Europe today, many are involved in the conflict – but few have real power.
The EU requires agreement in foreign policy: All member states must stand behind statements and political decisions. Now they disagree.
– Therefore, what the EU can do is limited, says Jørgen Jensehaugen.
Germany and Austria in particular stand loyally behind Israel, while Spain and Ireland, among others, clearly criticize Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
So does Norway.
Norway
Prime Minister: Jonas Gahr StøreRole in the conflict: Leader of the donor country group for Palestine
In the post-war period, Norway, like most European countries, was very Israel-friendly.
Norway led the Oslo process, which was supposed to lead to a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine in 1993. The agreement did not lead to peace, but Norway had a long dialogue with both parties.
In 2006, Norway was among the very few Western countries that recognized Hamas when they won the elections in Gaza.
Since then, Norway has had contact with Hamas.
Today, Norway leads the donor country group for Palestine, which coordinates aid to Palestine. The Palestinians have been one of the biggest recipients of Norwegian aid in the last 30 years.
Norway does not, however, recognize Palestine as an independent state.
In the ongoing war, Norway has clearly criticized Israel for violating international law, because so many civilians in Gaza have been killed. The criticism may make it more difficult for Norway to mediate between the parties, several experts point out.
Norway’s neighbour, Russia, also criticizes Israel’s war.
Russia
Prime Minister: Vladimir PutinRole in the conflict: Veto power in the UN Security Council
Russia has used the war between Hamas and Israel to highlight what it calls Western double standards.
Because while the US makes harsh criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the US supports Israel when it bombs Gaza, say Russian diplomats.
From the pulpit in the UN, they cultivate the division between the US and the rest of the world.
It makes it more difficult to agree on anything, says Richard Gowan.
He describes the atmosphere in the Security Council as toxic. Russia, for example, puts forward proposals de vet does not go through.
– I see Russia’s role in the war itself as minimal, but as a diplomatic spoiler Russia has great potential, says Marte Heian-Engdal.
The political theater in the UN, the US’s protective hand, the EU’s sprawling member states and Iran’s many tentacles are all part of the power play over Gaza.
Whether and when the conflict will be resolved, no one knows.
And even though the whole world is involved, we’re going back to the beginning:
To a land area and two people who have to live side by side.
2023-11-11 07:51:29
#power #play #Gaza
