THE SILENCE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE CASE OF PALESTINE: A THEORETICAL READING ON ABSTENTION AT THE UNSC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v22.n3.3356Keywords:
International Law, Slience, Palestinian, UNSC, Abstaining VoteAbstract
While the reactions of states in times of crisis are frequently examined in the international relations literature, silence is often ignored. The study opens to discussion this gap in the literature by evaluating it through a theoretical framework. In the study, the multidimensional function of silence in international politics is discussed through the perspectives of realism, constructivism and feminist theory. Within the scope of the study, the resolutions of and the votes held by the United Nations Security Council on the Palestine question after October 2023, especially the abstentions of the USA, Britain and Russia are examined and evaluated in the context of silence. The results reveal that abstention is a preference for protecting national interests, expanding the field of diplomatic action, and managing international reputation, rather than mere neutrality. However, the Palestinian example shows that silence cannot be considered as a functional or legitimate foreign policy tool in all cases, and it may cause ethical and moral problems. This study positions silence as a new category in international relations and aims to examine its limits and vulnerabilities through the case of Palestine.
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