Topic: The Question of Kurdistan
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Jonathan Pearcy
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Israel position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The fate of the Kurdish people and their independence has been on the minds of many world leaders over the past several years. The Kurdish people are a very distinct cultural group in the Middle East, which leads them to be often singled out or treated differently in the area. This isolation has united the Kurds, and has led them to seek the formation of their own state. The autonomy of much of Iraqi Kurdistan has proven the Kurds quite capable of running their own state, and made very real the possibility of a Kurdish state. The Kurds have also proven their capability in dealing with ISIS, as they are one of the most successful and organized forces at countering the terrorist organization in the area. The Israeli delegation realizes that the idea of losing territory in the formation of a Kurdish state worries several of the nearby countries, however the territory that would be lost is, in most cases, already divided from the rest of the country by the culture of the Kurdish people and geographically by the mountainous terrain. The Israeli delegation also realizes the fear that the formation of a Kurdish state could cause more destabilization in an already torn region, however Israel believes that the Kurdish state will help provide a stable barrier and protect against the spread of ISIS.
Previous attempts by the Kurdish people to achieve independence have been met with violence and conflict, leading to the isolation of the Kurdish people and their culture. For this reason Israel believes it is necessary for the United Nations to intervene and help them form an independent state without retaliation.
Israel believes the international community has a duty to support the establishment of a Kurdish state, and asks the United Nations to support this endeavor politically and financially. The United Nations should urge nearby countries to allow the creation of a Kurdish state, and to open negotiations with the Kurdish people on this front. Israel asks the United Nations to give economic and military support to early Kurdistan to help with its stabilization and integration into the international community. Israel is willing to give both economic and military support to Kurdistan, as well as a trade partner and ally in the region. The Israeli delegation suggests a ten year plan for the formation of a Kurdish state, starting in the year 2015. In early 2015 negotiations between the Kurdish people and bordering countries will begin to discuss borders and territory. By the end of 2015 a temporary government will be installed in the new Kurdish state. Kurdistan can then begin negotiating internationally for loans and economic support. By the end of 2020 the temporary government will create a constitution and permanent government for the country, and by 2025 Kurdistan will begin paying back short term loans and enter the international stage. To fund the formation of a Kurdish state, outside countries could give loans to Kurdistan in exchange for Kurdish oil, the UN could create a fund for the Kurdish state, and Kurdistan could take out a loan from the World Bank to be used for development.
The Israeli delegation foresees strong opposition from those countries neighboring the proposed Kurdish state, who would lose territory in its formation. Israel also expects skepticism from many European and Asian countries, who fear further destabilizing the region. The Israeli delegation expects these countries to eventually see the benefits and need for a Kurdish state, however, especially countries such as the United States.
