Time to restructure the UN, experts say
The UN resolution urging Israel to end its presence and illegal occupation of Palestinian territories within a maximum of 12 months is seen as a ‘toothless tiger’ as long as its ally, the US, continues to hold veto power.
SHAH ALAM - The United Nations (UN) resolution urging Israel to end its presence and illegal occupation of Palestinian territories within a maximum of 12 months is seen as a ‘toothless tiger’ as long as its ally, the United States (US), continues to hold veto power.
As a result, several international law experts have proposed a reform of the UN's administrative structure, suggesting that all member countries should have the authority to collectively elect which nations hold veto power.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) international law expert Professor Dr Salawati Mat Basir said that although the resolution was passed with the support of 124 UN member states during the 75th General Assembly two weeks ago, it was still considered ineffective in curbing the aggression of the Zionist regime in seizing Palestinian territories.
She highlighted that in international law, the resolution was not binding at a global enforcement level as long as Israel's powerful allies, the US and the European Union (EU), continued to support the regime's actions.
"The UN resolution appears promising, but in reality, it is a double standard. During the UN General Assembly, even the Libyan representative expressed that any resolution passed by the UN will not bind Israel as long as the Zionist regime relies on the US and certain European powers' veto power.
"Even the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has previously confirmed that Israel cannot be recognised as a state, but no one paid attention to the court's ruling.
"I consider this UN resolution to be very light. However, we must view it positively as more UN member countries are increasingly fed up with Israel's inhumane actions and the approval of the resolution should cause concern for the oppressive regime," she told Sinar Premium.
On Wednesday, the UN officially passed a resolution demanding Israel end its occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months, with sanctions to be imposed in the event of non-compliance.
The non-binding resolution was based on an advisory opinion from the ICJ stating that the occupation since 1967 ‘violates the law.’
It was approved with a vote of 124 UN member countries in favour, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, with the Palestinian delegation describing the outcome as ‘historic.’
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Senior Lecturer Dr Nurhidayu Rosli expressed concerns that the approval of the UN resolution might be shrouded in propaganda to build a political marketing strategy for the US ahead of the presidential election campaign.
She stressed that as the reputation and credibility of the US as a global police force continue to be questioned by the international community due to its unwavering support for Israel's oppression, the controversy surrounding the approval of the UN resolution might be seen as the ‘best tonic’ to boost the image and ratings of Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris.
"The UN resolution will never stop Israel's atrocities against the Palestinian people; instead, it will be used as a propaganda tool by Jewish lobbyists to elevate Harris's image in the eyes of the international community.
"Both US presidential candidates, including Donald Trump, will likely use the campaign to support Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, but those closely following Harris's campaign will realise that she is more supported by Jewish lobbyists.
"Therefore, I believe that this resolution has no real significance unless all UN member states demand a major overhaul of the organisation's leadership structure, with the determination of which countries should hold veto power being decided through a collective vote," she said.
