UNITED NATIONS AND THE CRISIS OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY: IMPLICATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Abstract

This paper examines the challenges confronting United Nations (UN) in upholding its collective security mandate and the implications of its failure to maintain global peace and security, particularly in the context of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. The paper aimed to assess the implications of the UN's institutional ineffectiveness in maintaining collective security during the Israeli- Palestinian crisis between 2023 to 2025. The research is anchored in structural realism theory. A qualitative research design and descriptive method of analysis were employed, using data obtained from secondary sources. The UN has been engaged in effort to resolve the Israeli- Palestinian conflict since 1948, two years after its establishment. However, the organization's recent behavior in managing the conflict has undermined its credibility and reputation and produced far- reaching consequences. The conflict has led to the deaths of thousands, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the placement of more than two million Palestinians into refugees. The findings have shown that the UN's inability to enforce its peace and security mandate significantly affected its institutional legitimacy and global reputation. The study recommends that restoring the UN's trust and credibility is crucial for the effectiveness of future peace initiatives.