Topic: Trade in High-Tech Weapons Systems
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Joseph Allen
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Israel position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Greetings esteemed delegates. The great State of Israel delights in the opportunity to collaborate with you all. While traditionally a nation greatly disrespected by the United Nations, Israel sees the pressing issues of our current global community as imperative to solve, and calls upon all nations to set aside petty differences so that a more peaceful and equitable world can be realized for our children.
The State of Israel firmly asserts that diplomacy should be the world’s first basis for the avoidance and resolution of conflict. However, as witnessed in our nation’s long and difficult history, those with conflicting doctrines often act with reckless abandon for all norms of civility, and resort to war rather than to peace. There comes a time when a nation must defend itself in order to survive. Self-defense is a concept as old as man, and is one that has become ever apparent in such times of strife and violence. The proud State of Israel holds dear to its heart the principle of self-defense. In a time when enemies will do everything in their power to bring about destruction, we must band together as a world to use any advantage we can find.
With this fundamental right in mind, the sovereign State of Israel looks favorably upon a global agreement towards establishing more pathways of defense and peace. As a large exporter of arms, and a leader in advanced weaponry, the State of Israel can provide undeniable benefits of such an exchange of defenses. The trade of such goods has peacefully united Israel with nations such as South Africa and India who share similar attacks on their rightful sovereignty. Trade in advanced technology has unmatched civilian benefits as well (1). Where would we be as a world without airplanes, radar, and computer chips; all technologies derived from initial military purposes?
It is important to note that the great State of Israel is advocating for increased trade in these systems in only a primarily defensive capacity. We condemn nations like Russia and Iran who proliferate devastating weapons for the purpose of spilling Israeli blood (2). As a world community, we must stand up against Iran who has been more than willing to provide missiles to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah (3). Missiles which then rain down every day on our lands, and slaughter countless innocent Israelis. The trade of arms only contributes to global instability when perpetrated by war hungry radicals who want to see the world burn.
The essence of today’s conflict comes down to national defense. In order to stop rising factions of extremism and hatred, we must band together as a world and build an international network for peace. Unfortunately, along with most nations of the world, the proud State of Israel is not privileged enough to live in a region of friendship and acceptance. Every day we must dedicate a significant amount of resources towards defending our fundamental right to exist. Critics calling for an end to the weapons trade are removed from the realities of the world. How can we rationally end our defense program when each day we are greeted by another hailstorm of rockets and terror? With such circumstances in mind, the State of Israel calls upon Norway and Turkey to remove trade embargoes on Israel.
It is foolish and naïve to assume that restricting the arms trade will result in world peace. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The benefits of such an exchange of goods and ideas are undeniable, and by restricting this trade, we smother any hope for a more peaceful future in which our children are able to live in a world of acceptance and tranquility. I proudly call upon the delegates of the world to join with me as we work towards achieving this brighter future.
References:
(1) https://www.sipri.org/research/armament-and-disarmament/dual-use-and-arms-trade-control
(2) http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-full-remarks-at-un-general-assembly/
(3) http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-iran-fuels-terror-1404849442
