Contrary to conventional wisdom, there has been a continuing though vacillating gulf between the requirements of international law and the UN on the question of Palestine. This book explores the UN's management of the longest-running problem on its agenda, critically assessing tensions between the organization's position and international law. What forms has the UN's failure to respect international law taken, and with what implications? The author critically interrogates the received wisdom regarding the UN's fealty to the international rule of law, in favour of what is described as an international rule by law. This book demonstrates that through the actions of the UN, Palestine and its people have been committed to a state of what the author calls 'international legal subalternity', according to which the promise of justice through international law is repeatedly proffered under a cloak of political legitimacy furnished by the international community, but its realization is interminably withheld.

‘This is a scholarly, well-reasoned analysis that constitutes a legal brief for Palestinian self-determination and statehood. … Recommended.’

D. P. Forsythe Source: CHOICE

‘This book is essential for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in the intricacies of international law, the role of the UN, and the broader implications for global governance in conflict zones, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Through his rigorous examination, Imseis not only highlights the deficiencies within the current system but also calls for a renewed commitment to genuine legal and political reform to uphold the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.’

Chaoqun Lian Source: China International Strategy Review