Situation in the OPT/Deportations – Letter from Palestine

Letter dated 29 June 1989 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I am instructed by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is vested with the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of Palestine, to bring the following to your attention.

The situation in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, remains extremely dangerous and has, during the past few days, deteriorated further.

Today Israel deported eight Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory to south Lebanon, their names are:

1. Majed Abdullah Labadi from Abu Dis

2. Taysir Mohammed Nasrallah from Balata Refugee camp

3. Akif Wahid Hamdallah from Anabta

4. Radwan Ziadi from Hebron

5. Ata Mohammed Abu Karsh from Shati Refugee camp

6. Nabil Mohammed Tamus from Khan Younis

7. Riad Wahih 'Ajur from Gaza City

8. Mohammed Saadi Madukh from Gaza City

We would stress that these deportations are flagrant violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and numerous United Nations resolutions on the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, in particular Security Council resolutions 607 (1988) and 608 (1988).

Israel, the occupying Power, should be made to ensure the safe return of the deported Palestinians to their homes and to desist from committing further such violation..

The number of Palestinians killed and wounded by the Israeli occupation forces is increasing at an alarming rate. During the month of May alone 45 Palestinians were killed and almost 4,000 injured.

The intensification of expulsions and deportations, the increase of killing and wounding of Palestinians, the sealing-off of large areas, the blowing-up of houses, and the dramatic increase of attacks by the Jewish settlers against the Palestinian people in the occupied territory are all part of Israel's aggressive policies. We would like to draw to your attention that Israeli settlers are organizing hikes, authorized by the occupying Power, throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, aimed at intimidating Palestinians and which would ultimately lead to further violence against the Palestinian people.

Israel, the occupying Power, should be held responsible for all ensuing results and also for the treatment of the Palestinian people under occupation.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory is extremely grave and calls for immediate action by the international community. In bringing the aforementioned to your attention, Palestine requests that immediate and appropriate measures be taken to bring adequate pressure on Israel, the occupying Power, to ensure respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, end Security Council resolutions 605 (1987), 607 (1988) and 608 (1988).

We 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 37, 39 and 78 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Zuhdi Labib TERZI

Permanent Observer of Palestine

to the United Nations

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* A/44/50/Rev.1.