COMUN - 1st Day of Conference

On the first conference day we opened with discussing the topic - The Question of the formulation of a comprehensive "aid, development and civil protection program" for IDP's and civil society within the Gaza Strip. This topic addresses an issue of global importance - the problem of creating long term development for the people within the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while hostilities are still present. The ECOSOC's mandate is not to find a conclusion to the debate between the two sides but to ensure that the people of Gaza are protected during this time and are given the means to develop. However despite this fact, there still much discussion on the legitimacy of the Israeli state, mainly brought up by the delegate of Iran. I felt that this discussion would not lead to any agreement since the opposing sides would be violating their foreign policy if they agreed to compromise. I tried to end the debate on the Palestinian statehood, and move onto a discussion on the best way to help and protect the people caught in the conflict, but to no avail.