United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

   The United Nations (UN) Security Council on 22 November 1967 adopted a British-sponsored resolution designed to recommend the terms of reference for achieving a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The resolution was deliberately vague but emphasized an exchange of territory for peace. The full text of the resolution reads as follows:

   The Security Council, Expressing its continuing concern with the grave situation in the Middle East. Emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security. Emphasizing further that all Member States in their acceptance of the Charter of the United Nations have undertaken a commitment to act in accordance with Article 2 of the Charter. 1. Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles: (i) Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; (ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force; 2. Affirms further the necessity (a) For guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international waterways in the area; (b) For achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem; (c) For guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence of every State in the area, through measures including the establishment of demilitarized zones; 3. Requests the Secretary General to designate a Special Representative to proceed to the Middle East to establish and maintain contacts with the States concerned in order to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance with the provisions and principles in this resolution; 4. Requests the Secretary General to report to the Security Council on the progress of the efforts of the Special Representative as soon as possible. Gunnar Jarring (1907-2002), then Sweden's ambassador to Moscow, was appointed by the UN secretary general in November 1967 to implement the resolution, but ultimately, he failed to secure meaningful movement toward peace. UN Security Council Resolution 242 continues to be the basis of all subsequent Arab-Israeli peace efforts. Its guiding principle of land for peace was institutionalized at the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference and in the Oslo Accords and the Roadmap.