Two months since the New York Declaration on the Two-State Resolution has been adopted and 1 month since the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US took effect, yet the bombings of Israel targeted at Gaza’s civilians continue to strike. The diplomatic gesture of signing the Declaration, though without practical enforcement, successfully diverted public eyes away from the most urgent issue—protection of Palestine’s civilians. It is more vital than ever that United Nations Member States “walk the talk”—collectively and unanimously take practical steps beyond diplomatic talks to end the genocide.
Palestine’s Statehood as a Pause from Palestine’s Bloodshed
On the surface, the two-state resolution appears to be a breakthrough, but for many, it is seen as a political bargain disguised as diplomacy, where the establishment of a Palestine Administration solely serves the geopolitical benefits of superpowers instead of the will of Palestinians. Recognizing the statehood of Palestine, within several conditions undermining the self-determination of Palestinians and disarming the resistance force Hamas, serves as a diplomatic gesture to calm the global solidarity movements against genocide happening elsewhere, especially after the voyage of the Global Sumud flotilla. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denounced the resolution, stating that “there will be no Palestinian state” while advancing Israeli settlement in the West Bank following the E1 plan, making the vision of two-state co-existence impossible.
Within high-level conference rooms, the Palestine question remains a “real estate issue” in the eyes of global leaders, yet in real life, Gaza’s civilians continue to suffer. Israel repeatedly violated the ceasefire, deepening its ethnic cleansing in Palestine, as 93% of fatality cases since March were civilians—one of the highest civilian death rates since October 2023. Apart from that, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported nearly 1 million people in Gaza City facing daily bombardment and compromised means of survival. Along with 6000 aid trucks carrying food and humanitarian supplies that remain stranded in Jordan and Egypt, denied entry to Gaza, Israel once again deliberately starves and annihilates Gaza under the very watch of the world.
Israel’s Carte Blanche to Genocide: US’s Protection as a Shield
The scale of Israel’s genocide in Gaza adds up each time after the US used its veto against every ceasefire deal called by the UN. Since October 2023, the US has used its prerogative of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 6th time to block an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, each time isolating itself from the global majority. Despite harsh criticism from other UN states and even within the Security Council itself, this move of Washington turned a green light for Tel Aviv’s further attempts of hostilities. Each veto is a shield for Israel to transform the same old excuses of theoretical “national self-defense rights” into the empirical acts of bombardment of civilian zones, destruction of hospitals and UN shelters, and starvation tactics—all in violation of Articles 51–55 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit indiscriminate attacks and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
With notorious evidence of violence, Benjamin Netanyahu was issued an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in 2024. However, given Israel’s long-recorded history of defying UN resolutions, it comes as no surprise that this genocidal government grants itself impunity from the ICC’s rulings. In theory, ICC’s 124 member states that signed the Rome Statute are obliged to arrest and hand over Netanyahu if he travels there. The Netherlands and Ireland are among the most willing EU countries to comply with the law, stating that they would arrest this war criminal if he ever sets foot on their territories. Meanwhile, Hungary—one of the founding members of the ICC—publicly condemned the court’s decision. Because of this, Netanyahu took careful steps in choosing specific flight routes to avoid jurisdictions where arrest could be enforced. But Israel need not worry much because (once again) the US has stepped up to shield its closest ally by blatantly rejecting the statement of the ICC, at the same time imposing further sanctions on the court.
“Uniting for Peace”: When Security Council Breaks, Nations Must Unite
This impunity raises a crucial concern: can the US’s veto override the UN’s justice? The answer is NO. There is a UN mechanism that can bypass the US’s veto and bring urgent military protection to the Palestinians: General Assembly resolution 377(V), “Uniting for Peace.” Adopted in 1950, the resolution is summoned when 5 Permanent Members of the Security Council (P5) fail to act as required to maintain international security and peace, giving the UN General Assembly (UNGA) full authority to implement what the UNSC can but fails to do under UN Chapter VII.
As the name suggests, Uniting for Peace can be used when UNGA member states unite to demand peace. The procedure starts when a proposal for a ceasefire is vetoed in the Security Council, as of now accumulated to 6 times in total, sponsored by the US. Since P5 failed to reach an agreement on the issue, UNGA Member States can call for an emergency special session (ESS) within 24 hours to invoke the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism. Under the ESS, member states may draft and vote for a resolution on collective measures to ensure the genocide in Palestine will be forced to stop. To be adopted, the resolution must secure the in-favor votes of at least a two-thirds majority.
If successfully implemented, the resolution can authorize the UN to immediately send a multinational UN peacekeeping force into Gaza and all other occupied territories of Palestine to stop the Israeli genocide. It can also restore the work of UNRWA, allowing it to continue providing humanitarian aid to the oppressed people. Additionally, the resolution can, once and for all, remove the Israeli army of occupation. Outside Palestine, the resolution empowers UN member states to directly impose comprehensive economic and military restrictions on the Israeli regime until it ends the hostilities. Rejecting Israel’s UNGA credentials, as well as bringing this lawless government to a mandated criminal tribunal to address its war crimes, crimes against humanity, apartheid, and genocide—are all in compliance with the resolution. With that being said, Resolution 377 (V) can be the first practical step to bring about the urgent peace and end the fatal sufferings of Palestinians.
We did it before…
The adoption of Resolution 377(V) happened at a critical time on November 3, 1950, during the Korean War. Veto power was repeatedly used by the Soviet Union in the UN Security Council to block effective measures against North Korean aggression. The lack of unanimity within the Security Council in the case of a breach of the peace ignited a resolution that transferred the P5’s responsibility for maintaining peace to the General Assembly. This mechanism effectively shifted part of the global peacekeeping force from an authoritative Security Council to a more democratic Assembly, reflecting the principle that maintaining international security should be the responsibility of every member state and the UN as a whole, instead of being paralyzed by the political interests of a few.
“Uniting for peace” has proven successful before in many cases, most notably the Suez Crisis of 1956. In October 1956, Egypt was invaded by Israel, the UK, and France after President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. Tensions escalated when the Security Council’s discussions went to deadlock owing to the UK and France’s veto. Under Resolution 377 (V), the matter was then taken care of by the General Assembly within a 10-day emergency special session. UNGA successfully called for a ceasefire and the removal of belligerent forces from occupied territories. Notably, the first United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was established to supervise this process, aiding Egypt’s freedom.
Even without a veto, “Uniting for Peace” could also serve as an effective mechanism towards international security issues when the UNSC fails to act effectively. One such case is Namibia. During 1978-1989, Namibia was illegally occupied by South Africa in defiance of multiple Security Council resolutions. The General Assembly, united by Resolution 377 (V), declared condemnation on South Africa and called for states to provide material, financial, and military assistance to the liberation movement. The United Nations Council for Namibia was established to keep track of implementation from the countries assigned, leading to the apartheid regime’s dismantlement and Namibia’s independence.
The resolution was also successfully used in relation to India-Pakistan 1971, Soviet Union-Afghanistan 1980, Lebanon-Israel 1982, and most recently Russia-Ukraine 2022. Given the positive historical proof, we can rightfully look forward to its continuous effects on Palestine nowadays.
… and we must do it again!
Along with many groups and speakers at the 2025 General Assembly tirelessly calling for invoking the “Uniting for Peace,” including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, Colombian President Gustavo Petro openly called for an Emergency Special Session on Palestine to invoke Resolution 377. However, up to this date (November 2025), no official ESS to invoke “Uniting for Peace” for Palestine has been issued.
Although states have stepped up concrete actions to establish an arms embargo against Israel and cut off all trade with its illegal settlements, these initiatives remain fragmented and uncoordinated, as they are under national or regional frameworks rather than a UN-led mandate. Their impact is disproportionate and fails to immediately and permanently end Israel’s onslaught in Palestine. Consequently, the need for a globally united mechanism has never been more urgent.
Instead of deliberately shaping the future of Gaza, the world must act now to protect its presence. Justice delayed is justice denied. Every hour left wasted equals millions of innocent lives threatened and killed. UN Resolution “Uniting for Peace” could be the final bridge between the diplomatic talks versus the real peace and liberation for the Palestinian people. All it takes is the courage of one UN member state to ask and the rest to unite.
