Mideast situation/Palestine question – SecCo draft resolution

 United States of America: draft resolution

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1373 (2001), and 1397 (2002), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, of 10 April 2002 (S/PRST/2002/9) and 18 July 2002 (S/PRST/2002/20),

Noting the continuing importance of the initiative endorsed at the Arab League Beirut Summit, which is a vital part of the foundation of international efforts to promote a comprehensive peace, as well as vision for peace laid out by President Bush on 24 June 2002,

Reiterating its grave concern at the tragic and violent events that have taken place since September 2000 and the continuing deterioration of the situation,

  Reiterating also the need for respect in all circumstances of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, including the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as the purposes and principles of the 1997 International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings,

Condemning the 18 September 2002 terrorist bombing of a bus station at Umm el-Fahm junction in northern Israel by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the 19 September 2002 terrorist bombing of a civilian bus in Tel Aviv by Hamas,

Gravely concerned at Israeli actions at the Ramallah Muqata’a, and demanding their immediate end,

Alarmed at the sharply deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza,

1. Reiterates its demand for the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction; 

2. Reiterates its strong support for the Quartet statement of 17 September, including its call for comprehensive reform of Palestinian institutions, a three-year road map through a negotiating process leading to two states — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security, steps by Israel to improve the life of Palestinians, and the need for steps by all sides to ameliorate the sharply deteriorating humanitarian situation; 

3. Affirms that all States shall apply the provisions of resolution 1373 to the persons and entities responsible for the terrorist acts listed in preambular paragraph 5;

4. Calls on the Palestinian Authority to implement its expressed commitment to ensure that those responsible for terrorist acts are brought to justice;

5. Calls upon Israel to cease measures in and around Ramallah, including the destruction of Palestinian civilian and security infrastructure, that aggravate the situation and that do not contribute to progress on comprehensive Palestinian civil and security reforms;

6. Consistent with Israel’s legitimate security concerns, calls for the withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from Palestinian cities towards the return to positions held prior to September 2000;

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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