Mideast situation/Palestine question – Letter from Israel

Letter dated 10 May 1985 from the Permanent Representative of Israel

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

In my letter of 26 April 1985 (A/40/270-S/17132 and Corr.1), I described a recent PLO attempt to attack Israel's cities from the sea. I now wish to bring to your attention a subsequent, similar attempt by the PLO.

On the night of 8-9 May 1985, an Israel Defence Force patrol boat sighted a rubber dinghy approaching Israel's coast from Tyre. The boat was manned by men wearing camouflage fatigues. It had a 50 horsepower outboard motor, was painted in camouflage colors, and bore an inscription in Arabic. Upon discovery, the dinghy tried to escape, was fired upon and sank.

The PLO has claimed "credit" for this act. The Reuters news agency in Beirut quoted a statement on 9 May confirming the terrorists' affiliation and published their photos.

By the PLO's own admission, the purpose of these repeated attempts to land terrorists on Israel's coast is to perpetrate the mass murder of civilians. Israel will continue to defend its coast and citizens.

I have the honour to request that this letter be circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under item 38 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Benjamin NETANYAHU

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

—–

_______________

*A/40/50/Rev.1.