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full screen Anders Persson, an expert on the Middle East, finds it difficult to see Israel accepting the UN resolution on a ceasefire. Archive image. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT
The tip of the UN resolution on a ceasefire is aimed at Israel and increases the diplomatic pressure on the country, says Middle East expert Anders Persson.
He says it now remains to be seen how Israel and Hamas respond to the resolution.
– I find it difficult to see that Israel will accept this, at least in the near term. I think there will be a lot of angry comments from Israel, says Anders Persson, researcher at Linnaeus University.
It is also unclear how Hamas views the resolution.
– What really counts is how Hamas in Gaza will receive this. They have the final say.
Anders Persson says that it is not at all certain that either party will follow this on the ground.
– Even if one side were to do so and the other continues to fire, will a one-sided ceasefire be held during shelling?
According to him, there is no doubt that the resolution increases the diplomatic pressure on Israel in particular.
– Let’s say that Israel would violate this in a flagrant way, for example with a ground invasion of Rafah. Then I think Israel may face, not biting sanctions, but at least initial sanctions, which is very significant.
At first, Anders Persson believes that large parts of the Israelis will end up around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
– People will think that the UN is anti-Israeli. But in the long run, I think it could weaken his position and open up a broader political conversation in Israel.