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Mr. Bush, What about Israel's defiance of UN Resolutions?
:: An Open Letter
to George W. Bush ::
by Michael S. Ladah & Suleiman I. Ajlouni
Dear Mr. President:
As we watched your speech to the United Nations General
Assembly on September 12, 2002, we were struck by the ironic proximity of
the Israeli and Iraqi delegations. Ironic, because many of the accusations
you leveled against Iraq could, with ample justification, be directed
toward Israel.
We commend you for calling upon the United Nations to
prove its relevance in keeping peace and harmony among nations in today’s
world. In order to maintain United States credibility in the international
arena, we expect that you and the United Nations would apply to Israel the
same standards of compliance with provisions of the UN Charter. The
Israeli leadership continues to defy countless UN resolutions pertaining
to its policies and military tactics of the past 35 years.
Accountability and our nation’s credibility require that
Israel be forced to comply with international law, especially if the
United States continues to press its case against Iraq.
During the period between 1967 and 2000, Iraq was the
subject of 69 Security Council resolutions. By comparison, Israel, our
closest "ally" in the Middle East, has been the subject of 138
resolutions. Not surprisingly, most of those resolutions call upon Israel
to comply with basic principles of international law embodied by the UN
Charter. Many of them condemn actions taken by Israel and call upon Israel
on more than one occasion to comply with previous resolutions that Israel
ignored and continues to ignore to this day.
On June, 14, 1967, through Resolution No. 237, the
Security Council called upon Israel to "ensure the safety, welfare and
security of the inhabitants, facilitate the return of those inhabitants
who have fled the areas since the outbreak of the hostilities and
recommends the scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles contained
in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949." In subsequent resolutions,
the Security Council deplored Israel for the delay in its implementation
of Resolution 237. Yet, Israel continued to defy the world community,
including the United States. The Security Council, in the face of Israel's
defiance, passed no less than five subsequent resolutions demanding that
Israel comply but to this day, thirty five years after June 14, 1967, the
defiance continues.
On March 22, 1979, the Security Council adopted Resolution
No. 446. Israel’s violation of Resolution 446 (sections quoted below)
represents the most flagrant violation of Israel, not only of the UN but
also the stated policy of our government under successive administrations:
(The Council) Determines that the policy and
practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and
Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and
constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive and
lasting peace in the Middle East; Calls once more upon Israel, as the
occupying power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva
Convention, to rescind it’s previous measures and to desist from
taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and
geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic
composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including
Jerusalem, and in particular, not to transfer parts of its own
civilian population into the occupied Arab territories.
Mr. President, we have cited just a few Security Council
resolutions that pertain to Israel. Space and your indulgence do not
permit us to cite, in this short letter, the volumes of the other
resolutions that have been ignored or brazenly violated by Israel.
Therefore, we have compiled in the attached document a list of the UN
Security Council resolutions which Israel has violated and/or continues to
violate. If Israel’s actions in response to these resolutions do not
"flaunt the will of the world community of nations," we do not know what
would. And if Israel’s actions do not qualify it as a "rouge state" then
reasonable, informed citizens of this great nation, and the entire
community of nations, are left to reach the unavoidable conclusion that
our government continues to apply very different standards for Israel and
for all other nations. Just as no man is above our domestic laws, no state
should be left to disregard well-established principles of international
law. The acquisition of territory by force and the use of torture are just
two clear examples of the shameful records shared by Iraq and Israel.
Mr. President, we take seriously the fact that Israel has
defied, and made a mockery of, not only the United Nations but also this
great country for we are one of the permanent members of the Security
Council. All of these resolutions mentioned above passed with some measure
of United States support, or they would not have passed.
Israel even stands in defiance of your own recent public
demand that Israel withdraw its forces from the West Bank. In a televised
statement on April 9, 2002 you demanded that "Israel withdraw its troops
from the West Bank without delay." Israel not only ignored your call, but
has actually intensified its illegal military occupation. If you are not
willing to force Israel to comply with even your own demands, how do you
expect to maintain the credibility necessary to convince the international
community to support a war against Iraq? Your success or failure at the
international level will depend heavily on the uniform enforcement of UN
resolutions against all countries. Selective enforcement will most
certainly lead to doubts about US intentions, and, ultimately, can only
compromise American influence and effectiveness on the international
stage.
We therefore urge you to restore the relevance of the
United Nations in maintaining world peace, and restore the reputation and
credibility of the United States, by enforcing compliance with UN Security
Council resolutions equally amongst all nations. We further urge you to
use peaceful means to resolve all such conflicts. We believe in peace,
justice and reconciliation and are opposed to war as a means of conflict
resolution. War is destructive and can not be justified in any case,
especially when peaceful alternatives exist.
With respect,
Michael S. Ladah & Suleiman I.
Ajlouni
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pertinent United Nations Security Council
Resolutions Since 1967 As They Relate to
Israel
No. |
Date |
Substance / Summary of Content |
233 |
6 June
1967 |
Calls
for an immediate cease-fire and cessation of all military
activities. |
234 |
7 June
1967 |
Demands
a cease-fire. |
237 |
14 June
1967 |
Calls
upon the Government of Israel to ensure the safety, welfare and
security of the inhabitants, facilitate the return of those
inhabitants who have fled the areas since the outbreak of the
hostilities and recommends the scrupulous respect of the
humanitarian principles contained in the Geneva Conventions of
12 August 1949. |
242 |
22 Nov
1967 |
Affirms
that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the
establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East
which should include: withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from
territories occupied in the recent conflict; and termination of
all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and
acknowledgement 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. |
248 |
24 Mar
1968 |
Deplores the loss of life and heavy damage to property. Condemns
the military action launched by Israel in flagrant violation of
the U.N. Charter and the cease-fire resolution. Calls upon
Israel to desist from acts or activities in contravention of
resolution 237 (1967). (This was an attack against Karameh,
Jordan.) |
250 |
27 Apr
1968 |
Calls
upon Israel to refrain from holding the military parade in
Jerusalem which is contemplated for 2 May 1968. |
251 |
2 May
1968 |
Deeply
deplores the holding by Israel of the military parade in
Jerusalem on 2 May 1968 in disregard of the unanimous decision
adopted by the Council on 27 April 1968. |
252 |
21 May
1968 |
Deplores the failure of Israel to comply with General Assembly
resolutions 2253 (ES-V) and 2254 (ES-V) of 4 and 14 July 1967.
Considers that all legislative and administrative measures taken
by Israel, including the expropriation of land and properties
thereon, which tend to change the legal status of Jerusalem, are
invalid and cannot change the status. Urgently calls upon Israel
to rescind all such measures taken and to desist from further
actions changing the status of Jerusalem. |
259 |
27 Sept
1968 |
Deplores the delay in implementation of resolution 237 (1967)
because of the conditions still being set by Israel for
receiving a Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
Requests the Secretary-General to urgently dispatch a Special
Representative to the Arab territories under military occupation
by Israel following the hostilities of 5 June 1967 and to report
on the implementation of resolution 237 (1967). |
267 |
3 Jul
1969 |
Reaffirms the established principle that the acquisition of
territory by military conquest is inadmissible. Deplores the
failure of Israel to show any regard for the resolutions of the
General Assembly and the Security Council. Censures in the
strongest terms all measures taken to change the status of the
city of Jerusalem. Urgently calls once more on Israel to rescind
all measures taken by it to change the status of Jerusalem and
in the future to refrain from all actions likely to have such an
effect |
271 |
15 Sep
1969 |
Grieved
at the extensive damage caused by arson to the Holy Al Aqsa
Mosque in Jerusalem on 21 August 1969 under the military
occupation of Israel; calls upon Israel to scrupulously observe
the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and international law
governing military occupation. |
298 |
25 Sep
1971 |
Deplores the failure of Israel to respect previous U.N.
resolutions concerning measures and actions by Israel purporting
to affect the status of the city of Jerusalem. Confirms that all
legislative and administrative actions taken by Israel … are
totally invalid and cannot change that status. Urgently calls
upon Israel to rescind all such measures…. |
338 |
22 Oct
1973 |
Calls
for an immediate cease-fire and termination of all military
activity. Calls upon the parties concerned to start immediately
after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council
resolution 242 (1967) in all of its parts.... |
339 |
23 Oct
1973 |
Refers
to resolution 338 (1973); confirms its decision on immediate
cessation of all military actions; and requests the
Secretary-General to take measures for immediate dispatch of
U.N. observers to supervise observance of the cease-fire. |
381 |
30 Nov
1975 |
Expresses concern over the continued state of tension in the
area. Decides to reconvene on 12 January 1976 to continue the
debate on the Middle East problem including the Palestinian
question, taking into account all relevant U.N. resolutions. |
425 |
19 Mar
978 |
Calls
for the strict respect for the territorial integrity,
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon. Calls upon
Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese
territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all
Lebanese territory. Decides to establish immediately under its
authority a United Nations Interim Force in Southern Lebanon (UNIFIL). |
446 |
22 Mar
1979 |
Determines that the policy and practices of Israel in
establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab
territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and
constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive,
just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Calls once more upon
Israel, as the occupying power, to abide scrupulously by the
1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures
and to desist from taking any action which would result in
changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially
affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories
occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and in particular, not
to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the
occupied Arab territories. |
452 |
20 Jul
1979 |
Calls
upon the government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent
basis, the establishment, construction and planning of
settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967,
including Jerusalem. |
465 |
1 Mar
1980 |
Determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the
physical character, composition, institutional structure or
status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied
since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no
legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of
settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those
territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva
Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to
achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle
East. Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of
Israel in pursuing those policies and practices. Calls upon the
government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to
dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease,
on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning
of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967,
including Jerusalem.
Calls upon all States not to provide Israel
with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with
settlements in the occupied territories; and requests the
Commission to continue examining the situation relating to
settlements, to investigate the reported serious depletion of
natural resources, particularly water, with a view to ensuring
protection of those important natural resources of the
territories under occupation. |
468 |
8 May
1980 |
Recalling the Geneva Convention of 1949 and expressing deep
concern at the expulsion by the Israeli military occupation
authorities of the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and of the
Sharia Judge of Hebron, calls upon Israel as occupying Power to
rescind these illegal measures and to facilitate the immediate
return of the expelled Palestinian leaders. |
469 |
20 May
1980 |
Strongly deplores the failure of Israel to implement resolution
468 (1968). Calls again upon the Government of Israel, as
occupying Power, to rescind the illegal measures taken by the
Israeli military occupation authorities in expelling the Mayors
of Hebron and Halhoul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron. |
471 |
5 June
1980 |
Expresses deep concern that the Jewish settlers in the occupied
Arab territories are allowed to carry arms thus enabling them to
perpetrate crimes against the civilian population. Calls for the
immediate apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of
these crimes and condemns the assassination attempts on the
lives of the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh. Expresses
deep concern that Israel, as occupying Power, has failed to
provide adequate protection to the civilian population in the
occupied territories in conformity with the provisions of the
Fourth Geneva Convention. Calls again upon the Government of
Israel to respect and comply with the provisions of the
Convention as well as with the resolutions of the Council, calls
once again upon all States not to provide Israel with any
assistance to be used specifically in connection with
settlements in the occupied territories. Reaffirms the
overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab
territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. |
476 |
30 June
1980 |
Reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged
occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967,
including Jerusalem. Strongly deplores the continued refusal of
Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant
resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.
Reiterates that all measures taken by Israel which have altered
the geographic, demographic and historical character and status
of the Holy City of Jerusalem are null and void and must be
rescinded in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the
Security Council. Reaffirms that all such measures and actions
constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Reaffirms its determination in the event of non-compliance by
Israel to examine practical ways and means in accordance with
relevant provisions of the U.N. Charter to secure full
implementation of this resolution. |
478 |
20 Aug
1980 |
Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the
"basic law" on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant
Security Council resolutions. Affirms that the enactment of the
"basic law" by Israel constitutes a violation of international
law and does not affect the continued application of the Fourth
Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 in the Palestinian and other
Arab territories occupied since June 1967, including Jerusalem.
Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and
actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered
or purport to alter the character and the status of the Holy
City of Jerusalem, and in particular, the recent "basic law" on
Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith.
Decides not to recognize the "basic law" and such other actions
by Israel that, as a result of this law, seek to alter the
character and status of Jerusalem. Calls upon all members of the
United Nations (a) to accept this decision, (b) and upon those
States that have established diplomatic Missions in Jerusalem to
withdraw such Missions from the Holy City. |
484 |
19 Dec
1980 |
Expressing grave concern at the expulsion by Israel of the Mayor
of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhoul, calls upon Israel, the
occupying Power, to adhere to the provisions of the Fourth
Geneva Convention. Declares it imperative that they be enabled
to return to their homes and resume their responsibilities. |
508 |
5 June
1982 |
Calls
upon the parties to the conflict to cease immediately and
simultaneously all military activities within Lebanon and across
the Lebanese-Israeli border. Requests all Member States which
are in a position to do so to bring their influence to bear upon
those concerned so that the cessation of hostilities declared by
Security Council resolution 490 (1981) can be respected.
(Beginning of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.) |
509 |
6 June
1982 |
Demands
that Israel withdraw all its military forces forthwith and
unconditionally to the internationally recognized boundaries of
Lebanon and demands that all parties observe strictly the terms
of paragraph 1 of resolution 508 (1982). |
512 |
19 June
1982 |
Expressing deep concern at the suffering of the Lebanese and
Palestinian civilian populations, calls upon all the parties to
the conflict to respect the rights of the civilian populations,
to refrain from all acts of violence against those populations
and to take all appropriate measures to alleviate the suffering
caused by the conflict. |
513 |
4 Jul
1982 |
Expressing alarm at the continued sufferings of the Lebanese and
Palestinian civilian populations in southern Lebanon and in west
Beirut, calls for respect for the rights of the civilian
populations without any discrimination and repudiates all acts
of violence against those populations. Calls further for the
restoration of the normal supply of vital facilities such as
water, electricity, food and medical provisions, particularly in
Beirut. |
515 |
29 Jul
1982 |
Demands
that the government of Israel lift immediately the blockade of
the city of Beirut in order to permit the dispatch of supplies
to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population. |
516 |
1 Aug
1982 |
Confirms its previous resolutions and authorizes the
Secretary-General to deploy immediately, on the request of the
Government of Lebanon, U.N. observers to monitor the situation
in and around Beirut. |
517 |
4 Aug
1982 |
Confirms once again its demand for an immediate cease-fire and
withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Censures Israel for
its failure to comply with the above resolutions. Takes note of
the decision of the Palestine Liberation Organization to move
the Palestinian armed forces from Beirut and authorizes the
Secretary-General to increase the number of U.N. observers in
and around Beirut. |
518 |
12 Aug
1982 |
Demands
that Israel and all parties to the conflict observe strictly the
terms of Security Council resolutions relevant to the immediate
cessation of all military activities within Lebanon and,
particularly, in and around Beirut. Demands the immediate
lifting of all restrictions on the city of Beirut |
520 |
17 Sep
1982 |
Condemns the recent Israeli incursions into Beirut in violation
of the cease-fire agreements and of Security Council
resolutions. Demands an immediate return to the positions
occupied by Israel before 15 September 1982, as a first step
towards the full implementation of Security Council resolutions. |
521 |
19 Sep
1982 |
Condemns the criminal massacre of Palestinian civilians in
Beirut; reaffirms its resolutions 512 (1982) and 513 (1982),
which call for respect for the rights of the civilian
populations without any discrimination, and repudiates all acts
of violence against those populations. Requests the
Secretary-General, as a matter of urgency, to initiate
appropriate consultations and, in particular, consultations with
the Government of Lebanon on additional steps which the Security
Council might take, including the possible deployment of United
Nations forces, to assist that government in ensuring full
protection for the civilian populations in and around Beirut.
(Massacre of Sabra and Shattilla refugee camps while eastern
Beirut was under Israeli military occupation.) |
573 |
4 Oct
1985 |
Condemns vigorously the act of armed aggression perpetrated by
Israel against Tunisian territory in flagrant violation of the
U.N. Charter, international law and norms of conduct; and
demands that Israel refrain from perpetrating such acts of
aggression or from threatening to do so. (Israeli raid against
PLO Headquarters in Hammam Al-Shut) |
592 |
8 Dec
1986 |
Strongly deplores the opening of fire by the Israeli army
resulting in the death and the wounding of defenseless students
at Bir Zeit University. Calls upon Israel to abide immediately
and scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August
1949. Calls upon Israel to release any person or persons
detained as a result of the recent events at Bir Zeit
University. |
605 |
22 Dec
1987 |
Strongly deplores those policies and practices of Israel, the
occupying Power, which violate the human rights of the
Palestinian people in the occupied territories, particularly the
opening of fire by the Israeli army, resulting in the killing
and wounding of defenseless Palestinian civilians. Calls once
again upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide immediately and
scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention. |
607 |
5 Jan
1988 |
Calls
upon Israel to refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilians
from the occupied territories; and strongly requests it to abide
by its obligations arising from the Fourth Geneva Convention. |
608 |
14 Jan
1988 |
Reaffirming resolution 607 (1988) of 5 January 1988, deeply
regrets that Israel, the occupying Power, in defiance of U.N.
resolutions, has deported Palestinian civilians. Calls upon
Israel to rescind the orders and to desist from forthwith
deporting any other Palestinian civilians from the occupied
territories. |
611 |
25 Apr
1988 |
Having
noted with concern that the aggression perpetrated on 16 April
1988 in the locality of Sidi Bou Said (Tunisia) has caused loss
of human life, particularly the assassination of Mr. Khalil Al-Wazir,
condemns vigorously the aggression perpetrated against the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tunisia in flagrant
violation of the U.N. Charter; and urges Member States to take
measures to prevent such acts against the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of all States. (Al-Wazir (Abu-Jihad) was
the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Palestine Liberation
Organization.) |
636 |
6 Jul
1989 |
Deeply
regrets the continuing deportation by Israel, the occupying
Power, of Palestinian civilians. Calls upon Israel to ensure the
safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian
territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from
deporting any other Palestinian civilians. Reaffirms that the
Fourth Geneva Convention is applicable to the Palestinian
territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem,
and to the other occupied Arab territories. |
641 |
30 Aug
1989 |
Deplores Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinian
civilians. Calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate
return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported
and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian
civilians. Reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention is
applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel
since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to the other occupied Arab
territories. |
672 |
12 Oct
1990 |
Reaffirming that a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli
conflict must be based on its resolutions 242 (1967) and 338
(1973) through an active negotiating process which takes into
account the right to security for all States in the region,
including Israel, as well as the legitimate political rights of
the Palestinian people. Expresses alarm at the violence which
took place on 8 October at Al-Haram Al-Sharif and other Holy
Places of Jerusalem, resulting in over twenty Palestinian deaths
and the injury of more than one hundred and fifty people,
including Palestinian civilians and innocent worshippers.
Condemns especially the acts of violence committed by the
Israeli security forces, resulting in injuries and loss of human
life. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide
scrupulously by its legal obligations under the Fourth Geneva
Convention. |
673 |
24 Oct
1990 |
Deplores
the refusal of the Israeli Government to receive the mission of
the Secretary-General to the region in violation of resolution
672 (1990). |
681 |
20 Dec
1990 |
Expresses its grave concern over the rejection by Israel of its
resolutions 672 (1990) and 673 (1990). Deplores the decision by
the Government of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume the
deportation of Palestinian civilians in the occupied
territories. Urges the Government of Israel to accept the de
jure applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all
the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 |
694 |
24 May
1991 |
Declares that the action of the Israeli authorities of deporting
four Palestinians on 18 May is in violation of the Fourth Geneva
Convention, which is applicable to all the Palestinian
territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem.
Deplores this action and reiterates that Israel refrain from
deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories
and ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported. |
726 |
6 Jan
1992 |
Strongly condemns the decision of Israel, the occupying Power,
to resume deportation of Palestinian civilians. Reaffirms the
applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the
Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including
Jerusalem. Requests Israel to ensure the safe and immediate
return of all those deported. |
799 |
18 Dec
1992 |
Strongly condemns the action taken by Israel, the occupying
Power, to deport hundreds of Palestinian civilians (on 17
December 1992). Expresses its firm opposition to any such
deportations by Israel. Reaffirms the applicability of the
Fourth Geneva Convention to all the Palestinian territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem. Demands that
Israel ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied
territories of all those deported. |
904 |
18 Mar
1994 |
Strongly condemns the massacre in Hebron committed against
Palestinian worshippers in Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, on 25 February
1994, during the holy month of Ramadan, and its aftermath which
took the lives of more than 50 Palestinian civilians and injured
several hundred others. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power,
to continue to take and implement measures, including, inter
alia, confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing
illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers. Calls for measures
to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the
Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territory,
including, inter alia, a temporary international or
foreign presence, which was provided for in the Declaration of
Principles, within the context of the ongoing peace process. |
1073 |
28 Sep
1996 |
Expresses its deep concern about the tragic events in Jerusalem
and the areas of Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip,
which resulted in a high number of deaths and injuries among the
Palestinian civilians. Calls for the immediate cessation and
reversal of all acts which have resulted in the aggravation of
the situation and which have negative implications for the
Middle East peace process. Calls for the safety and protection
of Palestinian civilians to be ensured. Calls for the immediate
resumption of negotiations within the Middle East peace process
on its agreed basis and the timely implementation of the
agreements reached. (The draft resolution was issued officially
as a presidential text, which normally indicates unanimity prior
to the vote.) |
1322 |
7 Oct
2000 |
Reaffirms that a just and lasting solution to the Arab and
Israeli conflict must be based on its resolutions 242 (1967) of
22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, through an
active negotiating process. Deplores the provocation carried out
at Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem on 28 September 2000, and the
subsequent violence there and at other Holy Places, as well as
in other areas throughout the territories occupied by Israel
since 1968, resulting in over 80 Palestinian deaths and many
other casualties. Condemns acts of violence, especially the
excessive use of force against Palestinians, resulting in injury
and loss of human life. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power,
to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and its
responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva. Calls for the
immediate cessation of violence, and for all necessary steps to
be taken to ensure that violence ceases, that new provocative
actions are avoided, and that the situation returns to
normality. Stresses the importance of establishing a mechanism
for a speedy and objective inquiry into the tragic events of the
last few days with the aim of preventing their repetition. |
Michael S. Ladah is a
Friends Boys School graduate (class of 1958). He is the author of
"Quicksand, Oil and Dreams: The Story of One of Five Million Dispossessed
Palestinians."Source:
by the same author:
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