Israeli settlements – Letter from Egypt

Distr.

GENERAL

A/35/102

S/13795

15 February 1980

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL

Thirty-fifth session Thirty-fifth year

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO

  INVESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICES

  AFFECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE

  POPULATION OF THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Letter dated 14 February 1980 from the Permanent Representative of

Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

My Government views with seriousness the decision of the Israeli Government to allow Israeli citizens to settle in the Arab city of Al-Khalil (Hebron) in the occupied West Bank.

I would like to inform you that Dr. Mostafa Khalil, Egypt’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed, on 13 February 1980, an urgent message to the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Cyrus Vance, drawing his attention to this decision by the Israeli Government and to the gravity of such measures which reflect a noticeable escalation in Israel’s settlement policy in Palestinian occupied territories.

In his message, the Prime Minister of Egypt emphasized that the illegal Israeli policy in the occupied territories violates the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war as provided for in Security Council resolution 242 (1967), which constitutes the framework of the Camp David Agreements and is considered as one of the main elements in the present efforts towards the establishment of peace in the area.  The Prime Minister stressed that such Israeli policy:

1. Increases tension in the area and poses a threat to it security;

2. Leads to a weakening of the States of the area vis-à-vis external dangers;

3. Conflicts with the Camp David Agreements in letter and spirit and

affects the prospects of a successful conclusion of current efforts to establish full autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza towards a just solution

of the Palestinian question;

4. Constitutes a challenge to United States commitment expressed by

President Carter in his recent State of the Union message to work for the

establishment of full autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza and the resolution of the Palestinian question in all its aspects.

The Prime Minister of Egypt has urged the United States to take a firm stand against Israel’s persistence in its illegal settlement policy which is totally rejected in form and content by Egypt, the Arab States and the entire world, including the United States.

I would like to inform Your Excellency also that, upon hearing of the Israeli decision, on official Egyptian spokesman stated that the Government of Egypt expressed its surprise and deep concern at the Government of Israel’s decision to allow its citizens to settle in the Arab city of Al-Khalil in the occupied West Bank and to expand the Israeli settlement of Kiriat-Arba by building 1,400 new housing units in addition to establishing three new settlements.

In his statement, the spokesman deplored this Israeli decision which violates the Geneva Conventions in letter and spirit and United Nations resolutions.  Furthermore, this decision constitutes an obstacle in the negotiations for the establishment of full Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  It is certain that the timing of the decision does not help the cause of peace in the area and is considered a step backwards.

I kindly request that this letter be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under the items entitled “Question of Palestine” and “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories”, and of the Security Council.

                                        (Signed) A. Esmat ABDEL MEGUID

            Ambassador

          Permanent Representative

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