Situation in the OPT/Jerusalem – Letter from Palestine

Letter dated 27 April 1990 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the

Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations

addressed to the Secretary-General

I am instructed by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which has the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of Palestine, to bring the following to your immediate attention:

On Thursday, 26 April 1990, the first day of Eid El-Fitr Al-Mubarak, the occupied Palestinian territory witnessed one of the bloodiest days as the Israeli army opened fire at Palestinian civilians, resulting in the killing of five persons and the wounding of hundreds more.  The most criminal acts by the army took place in Jabalya refugee camp (Gaza) and Kabbatia (West Bank).

I also have to draw your attention to the fact that for the first time ever, all Christian churches and holy places in the Holy Land are effectively closed as of 9:00 a.m. (Palestine time) today until tomorrow in protest to the illegal occupation by Jewish settlers of St. John's Hospice in the heart of the Christian quarter of Jerusalem.

This dangerous and deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory requires immediate actions by the international community, and especially the United Nations.

I should be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under items 23, 35 and 78 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Dr. Nasser AL-KIDWA

Alternate Permanent Observer

of Palestine to the United Nations

Chargé d'affaires a.i.