International consensus is increasing on the need for more "robust" peacekeeping around the world. Now experts are trying to ascertain if strengthening peacekeeping forces could have effect on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on June 29, general understandings were reached that there have been failings with previous peacekeeping missions globally and a fresh approach needs to be taken to the subject.

The Security Council meeting was carefully monitored by Efrat Elron, a senior fellow with the New York-based International Peace Institute. Summarizing the meeting, she said that missions have so far been imprecise or over ambitious and that there has been inadequate consultation with member states, regional organization and host countries.

The UN also realizes it has capacity shortages. Now the UN appears to be heading towards a policy of what it calls "robust" peacekeeping, with more powers being made available to troops in its missions.

At the same time, the United States began expressing interest in offering more logistical support. NATO is also moving towards robust peacekeeping.

Any peacekeeping force in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, said Elron, must include an Arab and a European element.

The idea of an Arab security role is gaining momentum. The day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's key policy speech on June 14, his spokesman Mark Regev said Israel sees room for Arabs to be involved in ensuring security in the region.

Two Arab nations are already heavily involved in peacekeeping and security work. Egypt is liaising closely with Israel, the Palestinians and the United States on matters concerning the Gaza Strip and also along the Israeli-Egyptian border.

Jordan is currently playing host to an ambitious American scheme to train Palestinian security forces. The operation has so far focused on recruiting and general and specialty training. The aim is to create a force throughout the West Bank that has powers half way between those of a civilian police force and those of a military.

The project is also equipping the force and producing mid-and high-level officers. Additionally, the Americans are working with the Palestinian Interior Ministry on planning and institution-building. At the same time, the European Union is training civilian police officers.

As a result, a trained force is successfully operating in Jeninin the West Bank, and the scheme's graduates will soon be running security affairs in a handful of other Palestinian cities. Israel agreed in late June to withdraw its security forces from Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho and Kalkilya.

Yet, despite all of this ongoing work, Israel is seeking international guarantees that its security will be taken care of if and when a final-status agreement is signed with the Palestinians.

Israel is highly skeptical about peacekeeping forces. Its experiences with them have not been good. The obvious example is that of the United Nations Interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"UNIFIL failed in its main attempt to stop the arms supplies reaching Hezbollah," said Avaraham Sela, a professor of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Another problem for any potential peacekeeping force is the role Europe would play.

The 27-member states of the European Union spend huge amounts of time trying to establish a common defense policy. The divergent opinions of the member countries means the creation of a single, unified EU peacekeeping force in the Israeli-Palestinian arena is unlikely, according to Aggestam. In her opinion, individual nations are more likely to team up with NATO in creating a force.

A senior Brussels official told Xinhua that an EU peacekeeping force remains a possibility. "There has to be a demand. The European Union is always ready," said the official.

Elron does not entirely rule out a peacekeeping role for the EU, but agrees with Aggestam it is not that likely. However, she does recognize the skills EU member states bring to the table. "European forces are imperative because of their known qualities," she said.

Aggestam said that the EU as a whole could make better use of its advisory capacity. "The EU could work much more actively now suggesting ideas about various monitoring missions," said Aggestam.

While talk of a peacekeeping force for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or possibly two forces, with one covering the West Bank border with Israel and the other around Gaza, may appear premature given the apparent lack of peace talks, experts say this is something that must be discussed now by the international community.

Informal conversations are taking place between the EU and NATO about the formation of a peacekeeping force, said Elron, but "It's all too separate, all too small."

As important as a future peacekeeping role is a third party commitment to such efforts. "The international and Arab community and its legitimacy is imperative for the transition phase to an independent Palestinian security partner," said Elron.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2009)