General Assembly

Distr. GENERAL  

13 March 1997

ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH

                                                   A/RES/51/223
                                                   93rd plenary meeting
                                                   13 March 1997
 
            51/223. Israeli settlement activities in the occupied
                    Palestinian territory, in particular in occupied
                    East Jerusalem
 
      The General Assembly,
 
      Having considered the letters dated 21, 25 and 27 February 1997 from the
Permanent Observer of Palestine on behalf of the States members of the League
of Arab States,
 
      Expressing deep concern at the decision of the Government of Israel to
initiate new settlement activities in the Jebel Abu Ghneim area in East
Jerusalem,
 
      Expressing concern about other recent measures that encourage or
facilitate new settlement activities,
 
      Stressing that such settlements are illegal and a major obstacle to
peace,
 
      Recalling its resolutions on Jerusalem and other relevant General
Assembly and Security Council resolutions,
 
      Confirming that all legislative and administrative measures and actions
taken by Israel which purport to alter the status of Jerusalem, including
expropriation of land and properties thereon, are invalid and cannot change
that status,
 
      Reaffirming its support for the Middle East peace process and all its
achievements, including the recent agreement on Hebron,
 
      Concerned about the difficulties facing the Middle East peace process,
including the impact these have on the living conditions of the Palestinian
people, and urging the parties to fulfil their obligations, including under
the agreements already reached,
 
      Having discussed the situation at its 91st, 92nd and 93rd plenary
meetings on 12 and 13 March 1997,
 
      1.    Calls upon the Israeli authorities to refrain from all actions or
measures, including settlement activities, which alter the facts on the
ground, pre-empting the final status negotiations, and have negative
implications for the Middle East peace process;
 
      2.    Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by
its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August
1949, which is applicable to all the territories occupied by Israel since
1967;
 
      3.    Calls upon all parties to continue, in the interests of peace and
security, their negotiations within the Middle East peace process on its
agreed basis and the timely implementation of the agreements reached;
 
      4.    Requests the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the
Government of Israel the provisions of the present resolution.