ABSTRACT
Our examination of peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts between 1948 and 1954 should, if nothing else, dispel any simplistic critique of the United Nations and the Western powers for failing to display adequate concern for moving the Arab-Israeli conflict beyond the 1949 armistice agreements. Between 1948 and 1951, the United Nations, through its mediator, acting mediator and Conciliation Commission for Palestine, devoted much effort at peacemaking between Israel and the Arab states. While successful in stopping the fighting, these UN activities - which included the holding of conferences and, at times, the submission of peace plans (mediation) — were unable to bring the parties into peace negotiations. After 1950, it was conflict management (peacekeeping), rather than conflict resolution (peacemaking), that preoccupied the UN, US and UK as they often worked together trying to halt the deterioration of the armistice caused by cross-border violence.
