Delegate Name: Seethalekshmi Kishore

Country: Syrian Arabic Republic

"‫ بل تزيد جراحها‬،‫”الدماء التي ُتسفك في الحروب ال ُتعيد األرض‬

Few descriptions of Syria’s geography are as fitting as that of Adonis, ‘the flower of the ages,
where glory remains embedded in its very earth.’ At the heart of the Middle East, described as a
‘cradle of civilizations’ by Turkey, Jordan, and Israel is the Syrian Arab Republic. With ‘rivers
and waves drawing from the Mediterranean Sea’ Syria treasures the hopes of 14 million
citizens scattered across 185,180 square kilometers [Syrian Census, 1995]. The Tigris and
Euphrates, within its domain at the vibrant intersection of culture ‘are the footsteps of our
history’. To the south, ‘the greatest mountains overlook’, the Golan Heights on the road to
Damascus, as cited by apostle Paul in the Bible. Syria's alliances include strong ties with Iran and
Lebanon's Hezbollah, a strategic relationship with Russia, and strong support for Palestine. Syria
has remained loyal to the Palestinian cause, 463,000 Palestinians live in Syria enjoying nearly all
the same rights as Syrians, except voting [UNRWA, (1990)]. The legal situation of Palestinians
in Syria is better than in many other Arab nations, despite UNRWA budget cuts, Syria remains
committed to the integration of Palestinian refugees into Syrian society.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973 ended
with Israel capturing the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights. Palestinians, initially
accepting of Jews, now feel their homeland was stolen right from their hands. For Israel, it's not
just about territory; it's about the sacrifice of thousands and the hard-won fight for Zionism,
seeking shelter for Jews. Millions of Palestinians are displaced, living as refugees, holding onto
the hope of their “right to return.” As Darwish says “Write down, I am an Arab, and my identity
card is number fifty thousand” reflecting their battle with identity and desire to be a true
Palestinian. Jerusalem, considered by Jews the Holy of Holies, is a deeply religious site for both
communities.

The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin—a paradoxical figure; a war hero turned peace icon—has
cast a shadow over the world. His words, “Today we embark on a battle that has no dead, no
wounded, no blood, and no anguish. This is the only battle that is a pleasure to wage—the
battle of peace,” [Congressional Record, Vol. 140, No. 99 (Tuesday, July 26, 1994)] causes us to
stop and think at this critical juncture, think not for ourselves but for our future, calling Israelis
and Palestinians to step down from the role of passive audience in peace talks, and work towards
replacing violence with dialogue and mutual understanding. The historic moment on the White
House lawn, with Rabin and Arafat shaking hands for the first time alongside President Bill
Clinton, marked the signing of the Oslo Accords. The accords achieved what many thought
impossible: mutual recognition and a commitment to renounce violence. With Rabin’s death,
there is a deep fear that the Oslo Accords might die with him. The focus now should be on
ensuring that it’s not the framework of the accords that can fail, but the people of Palestine and
Israel who can fail Oslo.
Over the years, the world has repeatedly sought solutions, only to see their efforts stall. In 1967,
UNSC Resolution 242, and again in 1973, UNSC Resolution 338, called for Israel to withdraw
from territories taken during the wars, demanded a ceasefire, and sought to end all claims of
belligerency. The Madrid Conference in 1991 sparked hope for a framework to resolve the
conflict, but with differing interpretations of Resolutions 242 and 338, these hopes collapsed.
Resolution 497 (1981) declared Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights as illegal, but it remains
null and void with no international effect.

The turning point of Syria’s involvement in the Arab-Israeli War was in 1967 when the Golan
Heights, was captured by Israel; prompting Syria to launch a bid that ultimately led to a
stalemate, worsening the conflict, "The Golan Heights is an integral part of our territory, and
any peace agreement must include their return to Syria"[United Nations, General Assembly,
Golan Heights annexation: Verbatim record (GA/ES9/PV.5) (1982, February 2)]; To view this
conflict merely as a struggle for territorial power would be ignorant to the 300,000 Syrians
displaced from the Golan Heights reducing them to refugees. Israel’s significant military
presence in the area continues to pressurize the displaced individuals, coercing them into slaves
for basic survival. [UNCTAD (1989)]

Syria believes that the two-state solution integrated with certain intricacies can offer a
blueprint for peace in the region.

1. A thorough review of the Oslo Accords should be undertaken; Clear, enforceable deadlines
and milestones should be set, with an international third party (equal representation of
Israelis and Palestinians) that conducts regular reviews to keep the accords relevant and
effective.
2. We suggest facilitating the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in other countries, including
Syria, accepting them as Syrian citizens (voting rights) accompanied by international
support.
2.1. We call for substantial international funding to aid the resettlement process and for the
international community to advocate for the return of the Golan Heights to Syria.
2.2. The UN should condemn any acts of violence by Israel, that endanger Syrian citizens
and violate Syria's sovereignty, taking a phased approach to targeted sanctions on Israel.
3. We advocate for Shared Economic Zones similar to the ECSC; to make war “not only
unthinkable but also materially impossible.” Leveraging Israel’s advancements in
technology and Palestine’s strengths in labor-intensive work while expanding the region’s
tourism industry could contribute to a more stable and prosperous future creating a symbiotic
relationship.
4. We recommend engaging the Israeli and Palestinian youth in the management of Jerusalem;
gaining firsthand experience in understanding each other's cultures and lifestyles.
Establishing a UNESCO educational zone within this framework would protect children and
provide a haven for learning, nurturing a new generation of leaders.

Bibliography

1. Owen, R., & Pamuk, S. (1999). A history of the Middle East economies in the twentieth
century. Harvard University Press.
2. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (1989). Palestinian
external trade under Israeli occupation (UNCTAD/RDP/SEU/1).
3. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). (1984). Survey of the
manufacturing industry in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Vienna.
4. World Bank. (1993). Developing the occupied territories—An investment in peace (Vols.
I-VI). Washington, DC: World Bank.
5. Luski, I., & Weinblat, J. (1994). The West Bank and Gaza Strip: A macroeconomic
profile and simulation model. The Philip Monaster Center for Economic Research.