UN Resolutions

[slimjim]

Why isn't Israel being made to comply with UN Resolutions made against it. And I'm not looking for anti-semitic or anti-US answers unless that really is the answer. I just want to be able to explain this to my ever-inquisitive 13yo son.

[JiverSteve]

Isn't it all about oil acos Israel has not got any but Iraq has lots so can hold civilised countries to ransom.

[geofbob]

By a remarkable coincidence just as I was reading your question I was watching the BBC Parliamentary Channel, and Llew Smith put almost the same question to Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon. The Minister responded that the cases of Israel and Iraq were not comparable, because (a) Iraq's record in waging war and using weapons of mass destruction was unique, and (b) the UN Resolutions on Israel also referred to the obligations of other Middle East nations, which had also not been complied with.

[straz]

The USA backs Israel financially & militarily therefore is the only country who's opinion Israel is really bothered about. The USA could get Israel to comply with the resolutions by threatening if it did not comply the US would pull the plug on the money & weapons. However, the Jewish lobby in Washington is very strong, as is the Jewish vote in certain regions of the USA ( e.g. New York), therefore Israel can put internal pressure on the White House when needed. Also, I can not help think TV pictures of Palestinians dancing around celebrating on Sept 11 didn't exactly endear them with Bush or the rest of the USA.

[Toomtoom]

The UN resolutions against Israel are of a different type, being non-binding "advisory" resolutions (see UN website for types of resolutions), and do indeed depend upon actions from surrounding states that arguably have not yet been made.

[JohnPPotts]

Although that evades the issue, Toomtoom: the reason the Resolutions on Israel are non-binding is because the USA would veto anything binding on Israel (and it's not just the Jewish lobby that drives the US into its support of Israel: Fundamentalist Christians are also staunchly pro-Israeli)