MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The recent outbreak of conflict between Palestinian freedom fighters and the Israeli government, known for its apartheid policies, ignited on Saturday, October 7, has led to a brutal Israeli response targeting densely populated regions within the Gaza Strip.
On the fifth day of the conflict, the toll on civilian lives continues to rise. Initial data, as of October 11, showed approximately 1,200 casualties in Israel and 900 in Palestine. Moreover, the violence is extending beyond the immediate conflict zone, with neighboring regions like Syria and Lebanon feeling its effects.
With deep concern over the ongoing crisis, President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir is posing significant inquiries regarding the United Nations’ (UN) role in promoting global peace and security.
The recurring tragedy involving Palestine and Israel is largely a result of the UN’s perceived incapacity to enforce its resolutions adequately and uphold just laws for powerful nations engaged in conflicts.
Of particular concern is the UN’s long-standing resolution advocating for the establishment of two sovereign states. However, Nashir highlights that this vision remains unrealized due to the persistent use of veto power by certain nations. This has resulted in the unequal status of Palestine, recognized as a Non-member Observer State at the UN, while Israel has been recognized as a sovereign state.
“Without concrete steps forward, it becomes clear that the UN’s effectiveness is questionable. Moreover, despite the worldwide emphasis on human rights, particularly in developing countries, why do ongoing tragedies continue? Our assessment is that, within the context of modern civilization and the global pursuit of peace, human rights, and democracy, we seem to be at a standstill,” said Haedar Nashir.
Haedar Nashir further comments, “Therefore, if the UN continues to display ineffectiveness and remains under the influence of non-neutral nations wielding veto power over the Israel-Palestine matter, we risk being caught in an endless loop. These repetitive occurrences might happen again in two or three years. Hence, Muhammadiyah presents a significant query to the global community and the UN if the international community will stand idly by, permitting these ongoing humanitarian crises to endure, rendering us powerless to promote peace, ensure the accountability of offending nations, and promote global solidarity.”
In Muhammadiyah press conference on the conflict in Palestine conducted in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 11, Haedar Nashir highlighted the UN’s core objectives. He emphasized that specific objectives, especially those outlined in the first and fourth points, have not been adequately fulfilled.
Point one of the UN’s goals is to maintain global peace and security, while the fourth point focuses on the UN’s role as a coordinating center for collective action against nations that jeopardize world peace.
“The UN has been established for 78 years and developed nations, including our own, consistently advocate for peace, human rights, and a world free from violence, we must inquire whether we will tolerate the endurance of these tragic events,” said Haedar Nashir.
“While international forums bring together nations, organizations, and diverse sectors of society to deliberate on and advocate for peace, it appears that these deliberations frequently stay limited to written records. This circumstance warrants thorough consideration from the worldwide community regarding the final resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said Haedar Nashir.
