Topic:
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Chloe Falkenstern
The state of Israel acknowledges the standing conflict between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana over the border of the Essequibo region. As a nation deeply invested in the principles of sovereignty and autonomy, Israel observes this ongoing dispute with measured interest.
The history of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana leads back many centuries, when both were colonized by larger foreign powers. The discovery of oil and gold has caused conflict, while not militarized, and is of great importance to all member states of the United Nations. The claim of the Republic of Venezuela over the territory of the Essequibo region has been dated when British commissioner Robert Shomburgk surveyed and laid borders for both parties. Needless to say, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the United States of Venezuela at the time, protested the borders, and tensions arose when gold was later discovered in this very region. Heightened tensions and views in this conflict led to the involvement of the United States, which brought the conflict to view with the values of the Monroe Doctrine. In 1899, the Paris Arbitral Award declared that around 90% of the Essequibo region was to be held by Guyana, however, Venezuela still claimed the land as a part of their territory, with a claim that the judges had been paid off. Another committee was established in 1966 from the result of the Geneva Convention, and has met nine times since its establishment, but no result has prevailed. Due to the discovery of over 46 oil fields in 2016, Venezuela has since increased their claim over this region, which is about two thirds of Guyana’s total landmass. Israel believes, while not directly involved with the conflict, a solution in favor of sovereignty is of utmost importance due to the values that should be upheld under international law.
The state of Israel knows far too well about border conflicts, dating back many years with different aggressors over borders. When the state first declared independence on May 14, 1948 after gaining the United Nations approval, a conflict arose with many neighbors, such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. These conflicts are still ongoing, as seen with the current conflict against the terrorist organization of Hamas. While our borders and conflicts have changed over many years, Israel has made importance to the values of autonomy and self governance. Intrinsically, Israel views Guyana’s approach as aligned with these principles while also recognizing the views and claims that Venezuela has made towards this region. Trade between Israel and Guyana has flourished, allowing much trade in chloride (chemicals that include bromine, chlorine, and variations of compounds), which was estimated to be 2.81 million dollars in 2022. Threats to the Essequibo region directly impact this trade, and as Guyana is a large exporter of both oil and metal resources, this impact is spread to much more than just our state. Overturning the already long standing boundaries that are a large part of a sovereign and globally recognized nation would be a detrimental stab towards situations similar to this prevailing internationally. Israel strongly negates the annexation of this region to Venezuela, as annexing the Essequibo territory would be detrimental to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, but as a neutral nation is willing to compromise to achieve a clear solution that outlines the reasonable wishes of both parties. Israel also views this ongoing conflict as a great cause of instability in the Southern American international community, and urges for a solution to the conflict.
The matter of sovereignty as a nation represents a value that should globally be respected and protected, especially when it impacts the community of a larger region, such as South America. Values upheld by the Israel government and people both believe in a solution for stable borders of the defending nation. Israel believes that the UN has done too little involving the conflict, and hopes for a safeguarded resolution that can satisfy the value of sovereignty of both parties while mediating conflicts that may arise.
Works Cited:
Award regarding the boundary between the colony of … Accessed November 28, 2024. https://legal.un.org/riaa/cases/vol_XXVIII/331-340.pdf.
Cohen, Ariel. “Venezuela vs Guyana: The Battle for El Essequibo’s Oil.” Forbes, November 23, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2023/11/16/venezuela-vs-guyana-the-battle-for-el-essequibos-oil/.
English/dutch texts. Accessed November 28, 2024. https://jusmundi.com/en/document/pdf/treaty/en-treaty-between-his-britannic-majesty-and-the-king-of-the-netherlands-respecting-territory-and-commerce-in-the-east-indies-1824-anglo-dutch-treaty-of-1824-wednesday-17th-march-1824.
“Essequibo.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/place/Essequibo.
“Guyana (Guy) and Israel (ISR) Trade.” The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-country/guy/partner/isr?redirect=true.
“Guyana Becomes Key Contributor to Global Crude Oil Supply Growth – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).” Guyana becomes key contributor to global crude oil supply growth – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=62103.
U.S. Department of State. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v32/d436.
Venezuela boundary dispute, 1895-1899. Accessed November 28, 2024. https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/gp/17463.htm.
“Venezuela: The Rise and Fall of a Petrostate.” Council on Foreign Relations. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/venezuela-crisis.
