U.N.conscionable, U.N.just

Editorial

The U.N.'s handling of a videotape touching on the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers on the Israel-Lebanese border last year reaffirms why the United Nations cannot be trusted to promote peace in the Middle East.

Just hours after the men were seized, an Indian soldier, assigned to U.N. forces monitoring the border after the withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces, made a videotape showing the faces of Hezbollah guerrillas who surrounded the U.N. troops to block removal of cars used in the kidnapping.

After months of denial, U.N. officials - under pressure when still photos allegedly taken from the tape appeared on TV - acknowledged the tape's existence but said it would violate their neutrality if they allowed Israelis to see the faces of men who may have been involved in the kidnapping.

It is a specious argument. The U.N. sent troops to the border with the mandate of "restoring international peace and security" after Israel's withdrawal. The videotape helps affirm a criminal violation of that peace and security.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is calling for international monitors to supervise how each side is carrying out its agreements under the current cease-fire plan. If the videotape incident is a predictor of future U.N. behavior, Israel would be well advised to hold firm against allowing that fox to guard this chicken coop.

American Jews staunchly supported the United Nations at its founding, in part because it voted to partition the Palestine of the British Mandate but largely because of its potential to advance peace globally. Yet repeatedly it has been co-opted by tyrants who use it for political purposes. Its efforts at peacemaking have been faltering; the massacres in Kosovo and Rwanda came as U.N. troops sat on their hands are recent examples. And it has held fast to its mindless rejection of all things Israeli.

Unless the United Nations mends its ways, it will find its past friends have become outspoken opponents. It could begin by handing over to Israeli investigators the unedited videotape it has sat on for so many months.

Jewish Renaissance Media

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