Why is UN Resolution 242 important?United Nations Resolution 242

United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 is
important because it represents a major statement of international opinion as to how the
conflict between Israel and its neighbors should be resolved.  The resolution is
interpreted in different ways by different sides of the
conflict.

This resolution was passed by the Security
Council in the wake of the Six Day War of 1967.  In that war, Israel took huge areas of
land from its neighbors.  These included the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, and the
West Bank.  Resolution 242 says that Israel needs to withdraw from the areas that it
took during that war.  However, it also says that all states in the area have to
recognize each others' right to exist and their boundaries.  Therefore, the resolution
makes demands on the Israelis (withdraw from the land acquired) and on the Arabs (accept
the existence of Israel).  Neither side has done this to
date.

The resolution continues to be important because it
serves as a statement of what the sides in this conflict should do to achieve
peace.