Israeli settlements – Letter from CEIRPP Acting Chairman

Distr.

GENERAL

S/13997

12 June 1980

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

LETTER DATED 12 JUNE 1980 FROM THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF THE

COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF

THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE

SECURITY COUNCIL

The members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People have authorize me, as Acting Chairman of the Committee, to draw your attention to the recent declaration by Prime Minister Begin asserting that the Government of Israel would establish 10 new settlements and that dozens more would be added as part of 'strengthening" the present illegal settlements in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.  Likewise, the Israeli authorities are reported to be about to implement a plan for the establishment in Gaza of an Israeli "barrier zone" consisting of Israeli settlements.

Those decisions, following previous decisions taken by the Israeli authorities, seem further to confirm the policy of the Government of Israel to annex the illegally occupied territories in the West Bank, including Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.  I would recall once more that such decisions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, world public opinion and the decisions and resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly.

May I also recall that resolution 465 (1980), unanimously adopted by the Security Council, called upon the Government of Israel to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment of new settlements. It is therefore obvious that these new actions by the Israeli authorities, reveal once more their contempt of resolution 465 (1980) as well as of the previous relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.  Even more alarming is the fact that these actions are in clear contradiction of Israel's declared policy to resolve the Middle East problems through peaceful means.

On the contrary, such actions and the illegal policy pursued by the Government of Israel are exacerbating tension in the occupied territories and obviously constitute a threat to international peace and security in the area, and the world at large.  The recent spate of renewed violence in the area, and the loss of life and property, are a grim reminder that the Security Council must be alerted, and  this is the purpose of my letter.  The Committee is of the belief that the Council should take urgent and decisive measures within its competence to prevent the deterioration of the situation in the region.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Farid ZARIF

   Acting Chairman

                                            Committee on the Exercise of the

Inalienable Rights of the

  Palestinian People