were to prove successful-that is, if all, most or even many of the roughly 12 million Jews now residing outside Israel were indeed persuaded to emigrate to Israel-expansion by that State would become an absolute necessity. 44. The tragedy of the Middle East has been in the’lap of the United Nations since 1947. This august body took the decision to partition Palestine into two States. It was that decision that bolstered the morale of the Israelis and equally inflicted a great injustice on the Arabs. The United Nations is not alien to the problem. Its responsibility for the attainment of peace based on justice is undeniable. Its obligation to the principles embodied in its Charter is inescapable. It is now at the crossroads. It either meets the challenge of peace or succumbs to the temptation of inertia. Years of hostility have accumulated rancour, bitterness and alienation. The United Nations is duty bound by its moral and legal commitments to embark on a serious and unrelenting effort to attain peace in the region. It has special responsibility towards the Palestinians who were dispossessed because of its decision to partition their homeland. It has a solemn responsibility to ensure scrupulous observance of the principle of non-acquisition of territory by force. 45. The Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, in the statement he delivered on 2.5 May 1973 at the Tenth Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), said: “The intractable nature of the problem may be largely due to the fact that fundamental principles of the Charter arc involved: the sanctity of the territorial integrity of Member States, the right of every State to be secure within its territorial boundaries and the inalienable right of self-determination of peoples. These principles are of crucial importance in the formulation of any peace 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations, politics, and diplomacy, specifically focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of the United Nations, and the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a focus on high-level decision-making and international law.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief