Model UN Background Guide

Committee: SPECPOL (GA4)

Topic: Israeli-Palestinian Question

Conference Year: 2026

1. Topic Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most protracted and complex disputes in modern international relations. Rooted in competing nationalisms and territorial claims in the region historically known as Palestine, the conflict dates back to the early 20th century with the decline of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent British Mandate. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the ensuing Arab-Israeli wars led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, creating a refugee crisis that persists today.

Over the decades, numerous attempts at peace have been made, including the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, which created the Palestinian Authority and laid groundwork for a two-state solution. However, key issues such as the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Palestinian refugees’ right of return, and security arrangements have remained unresolved.

The topic remains on SPECPOL’s agenda in 2026 due to ongoing violence, stalled peace negotiations, and recent developments such as shifts in regional alliances, changes in Israeli government policy, and renewed international diplomatic efforts. Additionally, humanitarian concerns in Gaza and the West Bank, including restrictions on movement, economic hardship, and human rights violations, continue to draw global attention. The question also intersects with broader Middle East dynamics, including normalization agreements between Israel and some Arab states, and the role of external powers.

2. Key Actors

States

• Israel: Central party to the conflict, with government policies influencing settlement expansion, security operations, and diplomatic engagement.
• Palestinian Authority (PA): Governs parts of the West Bank and represents Palestinian national aspirations in diplomatic forums.
• Hamas: Governs Gaza Strip, considered a terrorist organization by many states, complicating peace efforts.
• United States: Historically a key mediator and major aid donor to Israel and the PA, with significant influence on peace process dynamics.
• Egypt and Jordan: Both have peace treaties with Israel and play mediating roles, particularly Egypt in Gaza ceasefires.
• Iran: Supports Palestinian militant groups, notably Hamas and Islamic Jihad, influencing regional tensions.
• European Union: Significant donor to Palestinian development and advocate for a negotiated two-state solution.

International Organizations

• United Nations: Through various bodies such as the General Assembly, Security Council, and UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), the UN is deeply involved in humanitarian aid and political efforts.
• Quartet on the Middle East: Comprising the UN, US, EU, and Russia, this group coordinates diplomatic efforts toward peace.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Provides humanitarian assistance and monitors compliance with international humanitarian law.

3. Bloc Positions

1. Western Bloc (United States, European Union, Canada, Australia)

• Generally supports a negotiated two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with mutually agreed land swaps.
• Strong security partnership with Israel, but increasingly critical of settlement expansion.
• Emphasizes direct negotiations and opposes unilateral actions by either party that might undermine peace efforts.
• Advocates for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, particularly through UNRWA and development programs.

2. Arab and Muslim States Bloc (Arab League members, Turkey, Iran)

• Broadly supports Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
• Opposes Israeli settlements and occupation, often condemning Israeli military actions.
• Iran and some non-Arab Muslim states support Palestinian resistance groups, complicating bloc unity.
• Recent normalization agreements (e.g., UAE, Bahrain) have introduced nuanced positions within this bloc.

3. Non-Aligned and Developing Countries Bloc (India, South Africa, Indonesia, Latin American states)

• Tend to support Palestinian rights and UN resolutions affirming Palestinian statehood and condemning occupation.
• Advocate for multilateral diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.
• Often critical of Israeli policies viewed as violating international law.
• Some states maintain strong bilateral relations with Israel, leading to pragmatic engagement.

4. Russia and China

• Support a two-state solution and advocate for negotiations based on international law and UN resolutions.
• Often emphasize the role of the Quartet and multilateral diplomacy.
• Provide diplomatic and some economic support to Palestinians while maintaining relations with Israel.
• Tend to oppose unilateral actions and external interference that might destabilize the region.

4. Past UN Action

• UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (1947): Partition Plan recommending separate Jewish and Arab states in Palestine.
• UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967): Called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in the Six-Day War and recognition of all states’ sovereignty.
• UN Security Council Resolution 338 (1973): Called for ceasefire and implementation of Resolution 242 after the Yom Kippur War.
• UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016): Reaffirmed illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories and called for cessation.
• Numerous General Assembly resolutions affirming Palestinian rights and condemning occupation, often passed annually.
• Reports by the UN Secretary-General and special rapporteurs on human rights conditions in the occupied territories.
• UNRWA established in 1949 to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees.

5. Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can the committee support renewed negotiations toward a viable two-state solution respecting internationally recognized borders?
2. What measures can be recommended to halt settlement expansion and address its humanitarian and legal implications?
3. How should the international community enhance protection of civilians and respect for human rights in the occupied territories?
4. What role should UN agencies, including UNRWA, play in addressing humanitarian needs and refugee rights?
5. How can the committee encourage confidence-building measures between Israeli and Palestinian authorities?
6. What frameworks can be proposed to address the status of Jerusalem in a manner acceptable to both parties?
7. How can regional actors and international partners be engaged constructively to support peace and stability?

6. Further Reading

• UN Documents: Include official Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, Secretary-General reports on the Middle East peace process, and publications from UNRWA and OHCHR focusing on humanitarian and human rights issues. These provide authoritative texts on international legal frameworks and UN positions.

• Think-Tank Reports: Analyses from institutions such as the International Crisis Group, Brookings Institution, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offer in-depth policy assessments, conflict dynamics, and recommendations from multiple perspectives. These sources are valuable for understanding the nuances of peace efforts and obstacles.

• News Outlets: Reputable international media such as Al Jazeera, BBC, The New York Times, and Haaretz provide timely coverage of current developments, political changes, and grassroots perspectives. These help delegates stay informed on the evolving situation and public sentiment.

This background guide is intended to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian question as it stands in 2026, enabling informed debate and constructive resolution drafting in SPECPOL.