-PNShah
On October 7, Ten Nepali students tragically lost their lives in a Hamas attack in Israel. This devastating event shook Nepal and cast a spotlight on the nation’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Nepal’s position on this long-standing issue has been one of careful diplomacy, advocating for a peaceful two-state solution while maintaining relations with both Israel and Palestine. The recent Hamas attack added a new dimension to Nepal’s approach, prompting the country to reaffirm its commitment to peace and security in the region.
NEPAL’S RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL
In 1948, Israel declared its official independence, and during the 1960s, Nepal became the first South Asian country to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. These ties have since flourished, with both nations hosting embassies on each other’s soil. This diplomatic partnership has not been limited to symbolic gestures; Nepal and Israel have developed substantial bilateral relationships, encompassing trade, employment opportunities, commerce, and a thriving tourism sector. Israel has also demonstrated its commitment to Nepal during times of crisis, notably during the devastating 2015 earthquake, where it promptly mobilized humanitarian aid to assist Nepal in its hour of need.
NEPAL’S RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE
Nepal also recognizes the State of Palestine. Even though the two countries have not yet established any official bilateral relations, let alone economic ties, Nepal’s support for Palestine’s existence comes from the pattern through which Nepal has favored Palestine in several United National Resolutions. For the first time, in 1974, Nepal threw its support behind UN Resolution A/RES/3236(XXIX), a pivotal moment that acknowledged the Palestine Liberation Organization as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. This resolution affirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian population, encompassing self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty in their homeland. Interestingly, major allies of Nepal, including the United States and the United Kingdom, opposed this particular resolution.
In the same year, Nepal took a significant step by voting in favor of granting the State of Palestine an observer status at the United Nations (A/RES/3237(XXIX)). This move marked Nepal’s commitment to acknowledging and integrating Palestine into the global community.
In 1988, the United Nations formally adopted the designation “Palestine” for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which Nepal supported through its favorable vote on Resolution A/RES/43/177. Since then, Nepal has consistently demonstrated its support for Palestine’s existence and sovereignty, evidenced by its affirmative votes on various resolutions that reaffirm these principles.
A recent example of Nepal’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause occurred in 2022 when it backed Resolution A/RES/77/208, which emphasized the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. These actions underscore Nepal’s unequivocal recognition of the State of Palestine and its sovereignty.
THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION
Nepal goes against both Israel and Palestine when it comes to the two-state solution principle. In stark contrast to the aspirations of both Israel and Palestine, Nepal has always remained resolute in advocating for a two-state solution. This approach envisions the establishment of two independent states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure borders that are internationally recognized. The idea behind the two-state solution is to resolve the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict by creating two separate entities, each with its own government, economy, and security apparatus, thereby fostering peaceful coexistence.
However, it’s important to note that both Israel and Palestine have expressed reservations and disagreements regarding this solution. The main points of contention lie in the specifics of the borders, the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and security arrangements.
DOES NEPAL CONSIDER HAMAS AS TERRORIST?
When the recent Hamas attack in October claimed the lives of 10 Nepalese citizens, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press statement strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Israel. It stated, “The Government of Nepal strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Israel today that caused loss of precious human lives and injured many more.” However, there was no mention of “Hamas” being referred to as terrorists. Subsequent statements from Nepal also avoided using the term “terrorist,” which might be a cautious approach to prevent potential conflicts, particularly given that Hamas has taken citizens of Nepal and other friendly nations as hostages.
Nepal generally tends to stay neutral in this complex situation. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Nepal has not officially recognized Hamas as the legitimate government of Palestine or the Gaza Strip.
UN VOTING AND ISRAEL’S DISAPPOINTMENT
In the context of UN voting, there are typically four options available: “In Favor,” “Against,” “Abstention,” and “Absent.”
Nepal’s voting pattern in the United Nations has occasionally led to disagreements with Israel. Based solely on these voting records, it may appear that Nepal leans towards favoring the existence and sovereignty of Palestine.
Israel’s Ambassador, Hanan, has voiced concerns that Nepal has not taken a neutral stance on multilateral issues and has consistently voted against Israel. An instance of disappointment emerged when Nepal voted against Israel in a UN Resolution that disregarded Jewish ties to the Temple Mount. In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly approved this resolution by a vote of 129-11, effectively disavowing Jewish historical connections to the site and referring to it exclusively by its Muslim name, al-Haram al-Sharif.
In that specific instance, 64 nations, including India, did not lend their support to the resolution, whereas Nepal chose to do so. Ambassador Hanan expressed his preference for Nepal to adopt a more neutral stance in such resolutions, rather than aligning against Israel.
Furthermore in 2017, Nepal made the decision to vote in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that criticized the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Nepal justified this stance as being in line with its historic position on the Israel-Palestine issue and not a direct opposition to the United States. Nepal’s decision to maintain consistency in its policy advocating a two-state solution, without favoring one side over the other, was particularly noteworthy and commendable in this case.
Nevertheless, without interpreting Nepal’s actions as favoring one side over the other, it’s commendable to note that Nepal has consistently reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to a two-state solution. Over the years, Nepal has demonstrated its support for any resolution that aligns with this goal, consistently voting in favor of these measures. This principled and consistent approach by Nepal is deserving of recognition and applause.
CONCLUSION
Nepal’s foreign policy, characterized by its consistent support for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict, is a highly prudent and commendable achievement. This principled stance not only enhances Nepal’s credibility on the international stage but also underscores its commitment to the importance of sovereignty, even for smaller states. It has also helped Nepal build strong relations with the Arab world, which sees this stance as a supportive gesture toward the Palestinian population. Despite this commitment to diplomacy, when Nepali citizens fell victim to a direct Hamas attack, Nepal promptly condemned the act of terror. All in all, Nepal’s overarching goal is to ensure “peace and security” for both Israel and Palestine within globally recognized international borders.
source – pnshah , October 18, 2023 of PARARAASTRA
