Historical Committee

Topic: Crisis in the Middle-East

Author: Salman Farrukh

Introduction
Middle-East has remained the centre of attention of global politics specially since the process of de-
colonization and the creation of Israel. Majority of Arab Nations, for a large part of history, have
opposed the creation of Israel in the heart of their claimed territory. The first war between the Arab
world and Israel broke out in 1948 which culminated in 1949 after an armistice agreement signed
between both the parties. Even after the agreement, the region remained in continuous tensions and
conflict. However, the map of the Middle-East changed when a major war, also called as six-day war
broke out between the Arab world and Israel in June 1967.

The cause of an independent Palestinian State did not start until 1988 when the Palestinian National
Council unilaterally declared the desire for it. Until that time, Palestinian areas were claimed by various
Arab Nations that collectively fought against Israel. Even after multiple developments that led to a
greater recognition of the Palestinian homeland, Palestine has still not been able to get a separate
homeland under the two-state solution. During this time, there are multiple resolutions of the UN as
well as initiatives taken by countries to find a peaceful two-state solution of Palestine-Israel conflict.

Message by Chair
Dear delegates, the primary purpose of the historical committee would be to encourage you all to have
a better insight into the Palestinian-Israeli issue. The timeline of the scenario-based crisis has been very
carefully chosen. Apart from the effort to resolve the crisis, I also expect you to come prepared on all
the major events leading up to the crisis. Further, you are also encouraged to read on the later
developments that occurred after the crisis till the present day. We must keep in mind that the historical
committee is time-bound i.e you cannot discuss the events that have taken place after the timeline set
by the crisis unless you are given an update which would advance us in the history. However, due to the
nature of the crisis committee, the updates cannot be provided to you at the moment. Also, the crisis is,
by and large, is based on the real historical events. Many historical events and narratives remain
disputed, and this factor would surely be taken into account. However, this should not impede the
progressive evolution of the debate. I wish you all best of luck for the debate.
Scenario-based Crisis
April 1967

A news has broke out that Israeli armored tractors have been seen plowing along the Syrian-Israeli
border area. Syria has maintained that this is a violation of the 1949 Arab-Israel Armistice Agreement
which states that no activity shall be done within the DMZs. Other reports have suggested that shelling
done by Israeli military has killed 3 Arab farmers near the Syrian posts. In response to this unprovoked
aggression and after repeated warnings, Syria has shelled Israeli settlements and other targets including
fishermen from its Golan Heights area and has also shot an Israeli armored tractor. Further reports have
been received that Syrian and Jordanian-based Palestinian freedom fighters, from the group ‘Fatah’,
have made multiple incursions in the Israeli land allegedly killing 3 Israeli soldiers.

Israel, in return, has started invading Syria and Jordan by launching bombs weighing 250-500 kg using its
air force and by dropping paratroopers in Syria and Jordan. The Israeli planes are seen flying over
Damascus. Syria in return has attacked Israeli settlements near the border area which has escalated the
situation and heightened tensions that can result in a full-fledged war.

Responding to that, Egypt’s President Gamal Abdul Nasser has decided to expel the personnel of United
Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), deployed by the UN to after Egypt had blocked the Suez Canal and the
Straits of Tiran for Israeli trade ships, after the UN has refused Egypt’s request to remove their UNEF
peacekeepers from Sinai Peninsula and concentrate in other areas such as Gaza. Other than that, Egypt’s
vice-president Anwar Saddat has received reports from the Soviet Union that Israel is stationing 11
brigades near the Syrian-Israeli border with a plan to attack Syria and invade major parts of the country
using three major entry points. Nasser has ordered to block the Straits of Tiran for the Israeli ships once
again after doing it in 1956.

Egypt has decided to trigger its defense pact with Syria done in 1966 in face of imminent threat of
Israel’s invasion of Syria. In order to do that, Egypt has started militarization Sinai Peninsula preparing to
deal with any provocative action on part of Israel. The United States, the United Kingdom and France
have asked an explanation from Egypt upon which the latter has claimed that the actions have been
taken in response to Israel’s threats to overthrow Syrian government and invade the country. These
measures are only taken for the purpose of self-defense, and not to launch any military offensive,
Nasser has maintained.

There have been multiple reports regarding whether Soviet Union has pledged its support to Syria and
Egypt in case of military escalation. Israel has sent its delegation of high officials to US and Europe to ask
for support and Egypt to Soviet Union for the same purpose. Iraq has also pledged its support to Egypt in
case of war against Israel, however, Iran remains close to Israel.

Currently, East Jerusalem and West Bank remains under the control of Jordan and Gaza under Egyptian
control. Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), created in 1964 by the Arab League, is working on an
armed struggle to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation.

The threat of an Arab-Israeli war looms……….