By Tajudeen Balogun
The United Nations is “compromised” and this accounts for why it has failed to act fairly and decisively in the raging war between Israel and Palestine.
An Historian, Prof. Olutayo Adesina, made the submissions in response to a question by The Eagle Online.
The International organisation has also been declared as a “weak” body, and if care is not taken, it “will become irrelevant organisation” in the international peaceful resolution process.
Adesina’s response was given when he joined other scholars as discussants at the Adeboye Centre For Peace And Good Governance’s public discourse, with the topic: “Emerging Trends In The Arab-Israel Conflict And Its Implications For Global Peace.”
The Professor of History at the University of Ibadan declared that there was “incoherence” in the UN and this informed why it has failed to take a drastic decision to stem the latest bloodshed which has started since October 7.
Prof. Adesina admitted that on one hand, the Hamas deadly strike on Israelis was condemnable, still, on the other hand, there is no correlation between the first attack and havoc being wrecked so far on Palestine by her opponent, which has resulted in huge human loss.
Still, the scholar wondered why Hamas should first launch an attack against Israel, knowing fully well that it could not match her rival, weapon-for-weapon.
Against this background, Prof. Adesina alleged that there was “a strategic hand” instigating Hamas to strike, for the bloodbath still underway to happen.
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He tasked all stakeholders to unveil the brains behind the “grand strategy” as well as whose interest they were representing.
Prof. Adesina, who said the “over killing” in Palestine was like a spectre, where the spirit of hatred and inclination to kill as revenge would be inflamed and passed on from one generation to another, also submitted that the “grand strategists” appear to be spoilt for bloodshed, alleging that whenever there was a solution for the Israelis-Hamas war de-escalation, they cleverly changed the agenda, ultimately to sustain the war.
While responding to the same question, Prof. David Aworawo reasoned that if the UN failed, then the entire world has failed.
Aworawo, who is a Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies, as well as the Head, Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, said the UN was expected to call on all parties for compliance to law, while other critical stakeholders such as the US, European Union and African Union should not hold back to play their parts in de-escalation efforts.
Prof. Aworawo corroborated Prof. Adesina that it was true that the UN is weak in resolving the crisis, yet he insisted the body’s diplomatic intervention is relevant in resolving the uprising.
Still on de-escalation, Prof. Aworawo recommended that the Arabs and Israelis must be encouraged to come to table for dialogue for resolution.
Ultimately, the scholar advocated for an “effective peace education”.
Aworawo affirmed that there were “extremists” on both sides, saying that the peace education would expose the warring sides to the futility of the war that has lasted for years.
“The extremists should be persuaded for the two to embrace peace and accommodate each other,” Aworawo stressed, urging international non-governmental organisations and other parties in the matter to toe the path leading to lasting peace.
Other discussants at the intellectual engagement knocked both Israel and Palestine for allowing the war to have dragged on for long, admitting that the crisis is more political than being religious as some misconstrued.
The panellists therefore called for lasting and amicable resolutions to the crisis, as well as prayer for peace to reign in the Middle East and the world in general.
Other discussants included: Ambassador Ayo Olukanmi, Counsellor, Political, Culture and Information, Nigeria High Commission to Israel (1994-1998); Ambassador Olufemi Obisakin, Chairman, UN Committee on Disarmament and International Peace and Security (2011-2012); and Dr. Samuel Okanlawon, Lecturer, Department of Religious Studies, UI.
The session was hosted by the Ag.Vice Chancellor, Redeemer University, Ede, Osun State, South West Nigeria, Prof. Ahmed Yerima; the Center’s Director, Prof. Femi Ayoade; staff of the Centre; and Redeemer University.
It was attended by the University’s undergraduates from the History and International Relations Departments and other students.