Last night I had a conversation with a fellow from Israel. I was off duty, so it was not obvious who I worked for at the time (no uniform). This guy went on and on about how horrible the UN was. I believe he had problems because of the "war crimes" accusaion by some in the UN against Israel for defending themselves.
I do not think the UN is so evil, and explained to him about his own history (this was a young guy). I explained to him how the UN was responsible in a way for the formation of the modern Israel. He thought Israel became a modern nation befor the United Nations was formed. Also the division into a Jewish area and Arab area of Palestine was one of the earliest acts of the UN. In 1947, the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab.(UN resolution 181). Israel declared independence in 1948 and won additional territory in subsiquent wars (which some still want to refer to it as "occupied territory"
Now I told him the the UN was often ineffective in how it conducts business and peacekeeping, but rarrely is there an alternative to finding a peaceable solution in many parts of the world.
"The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 upon ratification of the Charter by the five permanent members of the Security Council — France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States — and by a majority of the other 46 signatories. The first meetings of the General Assembly, with 51 nations represented, and the Security Council, took place in Westminster Central Hall in London in January 1946. " - Wikipedia
He said something about "Ask your Marines what they think of the UN" I told him I just had earlier when they were visiting UN Headquarters earlier that day. He seemed a bit peeved that I had interaction in a good way with the Marines.
Sometimes in our own zealouness we lose sight of the facts.
Anyways - Stay safe!
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