Ralph+Bunche

Caroline Stechison Chapter 4 Response

Ralph Bunche Following the assassination of Bernadotte, the UN mediator for Palestine, Ralph Bunche took over and began settling the difficult truce negotiations. Bunche was an American unlike his predecessor who was Swedish. His work as a mediator allowed him to work with Transjordan, Lebanon and Syria and helped to increase land for Israel by almost 20%. He helped in later negotiations that gave Transjordan control over the West Bank as well as East Jerusalem, and also allowed Transjordan to change its name to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Egypt was also granted the land that is now known as the Gaza Strip. When all negotiating was over, Israel had gained 75% more land that they originally had. Although these boundaries did not become permanent, they did remain in place until the Six Day War of 1967. Ralph Bunche’s work as mediator helped serve as an example for those who served after him like Henry Kissinger.