Situation in the OPT/Int’l Peace Conference under A/RES/38/58 C – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

Letter dated 13 October 1988 from the Chairman of the

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights

of the Palestinian People addressed to the Secretary-General

In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I wish to express the Committee's profound concern at the continued grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the intensification of the policy of repression pursued by Israel against the Palestinian people, in particular by army raids on villages and refugee camps to prevent demonstrations, and by keeping the schools and universities closed. Live ammunition and plastic bullets are being used more and more frequently and have resulted in an increase in casualties. The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire has now risen to at least 302 since the beginning of the uprising in early December.

According to Reuters, on 30 September, the Israeli authorities extended the closure of all schools and universities in the West Bank until 15 November, affecting at least 300,000 schoolchildren. It was reported that universities in the West Bank have been closed by the army since the beginning of the uprising last December. On the same day, Israeli police extended the closure of the Palestine Press Service in East Jerusalem for a year.

According to Reuters, on 4 October 1988, the Israeli Army Chief of Staff told the Knesset Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that the number of Palestinians wounded in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip had "almost doubled" in recent weeks. He said that Israeli soldiers had wounded 267 Palestinians in the previous three weeks, compared with 137 in the preceding three-week period. On the same day, according to UPI, Israeli soldiers raided several villages in the West Bank, wounding at least 17 Palestinians by gunfire.

On 7 October 1988, Reuters reported that four Palestinians were killed and at least 9 others wounded by gunfire in a clash that occurred when the Israeli army raided the old city of Nablus: later, 18 Palestinians were injured by gunshot in other parts of the city. The following day, according to Reuters, two residents of Nablus were killed and four others wounded by army gunfire while the city continued a strike to protest the mounting Palestinian casualties.

The New York Times and Reuters reported that on 9 October, Israeli troops raided some 30 villages and refugee camps in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians in Yatta village and wounding 28 others at various locations.

In view of the gravity of these events, the Committee wishes once again to express its profound concern at the repressive policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power. Further, it reiterates its appeal to the international community and all parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to take appropriate and effective action to ensure respect by Israel of the provisions of the Convention concerning the safety and protection of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The Committee further stresses the imperative need for urgent action aimed at convening the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 38/58 C.

I should be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter distributed as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 37, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Absa Claude DIALLO

Chairman

Committee on the Exercise

of the Inalienable Rights

of the Palestinian People