Situation in the OPT incl. Jerusalem – Letter from Palestine

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL

Fifty-first session Fifty-first year

Agenda items 33, 35 and 85

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO

  INVESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICES

  AFFECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF

  THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND OTHER

  ARABS OF THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Letter dated 26 September 1996 from the Permanent Observer

of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the

Secretary-General

Following my last two letters to you, dated 24 and 25 September 1996 (A/51/400-S/1996/779 and A/51/407-S/1996/786), I must inform you that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, has worsened and become even more dangerous.

The Israeli army escalated its attacks on Palestinian civilians, causing great casualties.  While the casualties continue to increase by the hour, at this stage they stand at more than 24 killed and more than 500 injured.  The Israeli army has also engaged Palestinian police personnel in exchange of fire, which has resulted in a situation of even greater danger.

We believe that the Security Council cannot stand by and watch such extreme deterioration of the situation, as well as the faltering of the peace process, as a result of Israeli policies and actions.  Accordingly, I am requesting an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the situation and to take the necessary actions in this regard, especially actions to achieve the closure of the tunnel under the Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as actions to restore hope and peace in the area.

I would be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 33, 35 and 85, and of the Security Council.

   (Signed)  Nasser AL-KIDWA

Permanent Observer of Palestine

      to the United Nations     

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96-25409 (E)   260996