Letter dated 12 July 1985 from the Acting Chairman of the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People, by the Secretary-General
In my capacity as Acting Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, it is my duty to inform you of the Committee's concern at recent reports of renewed acts of aggression against Palestinians by Israeli forces of occupation in the West Bank as well as a proposed drafting of new laws that would affect Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza.
The source of this information, which has been brought to the attention of the Committee, is news reports that appeared in Al-Fajr on 21 June and Ha'aretz on 25 June 1985.
Al-Fajr reported that occupying Israeli military forces had demolished seven villages in the area of Hebron on 18 June, thereby displacing some 200 families in order to convert their land into a military training zone. According to residents of the town of Yatta in the area, the Israelis are now levelling the seized land and are reportedly preparing to build a military airport and other facilities. Houses have been demolished, grain storage and water wells destroyed, and villagers have been forced off their lands.
Regarding the proposed drafting of new laws, it was reported in Ha'aretz and Al-Fajr that the Israeli Defence Minister, Yitzhak Rabin had assured Jewish settler leaders in the West Bank and Gaza on 23 June that his ministry is considering deporting Palestinian residents of the occupied territories who take part in what is termed "anti-Israel activity". He said that existing Israeli laws are not sufficient to allow for the implementation of rapid deportation in such instances and, in consequence, new laws should be drafted.
Mr. Rabin proposed further that more town arrests be made of anti-Israel activists and that formerly applied methods of punishment be revived, that is to say, imprisonment without trial or charges for an unlimited period. Such proposed action is of course in direct contravention of principles affecting basic human rights.
I bring these matters to your attention since such repressive measures on the part of the Israeli authorities cannot but aggravate tensions and amplify threats to peace and security in the region, if not the world.
As you are aware, the Committee remains convinced that positive action by the Security Council on its recommendations and on the proposed international peace conference on the Middle East would advance prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region. Such action would help avoid, if not preclude, the recurrences of such inequities as are detailed in this letter.
In consequence, I should be most grateful if you would have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under item 33 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.
(Signed) Oscar ORAMAS-OLIVA Acting Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People |
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* A/40/50/Rev.l.
Document Type: Letter
Document Sources: Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), General Assembly, Security Council
Subject: Agenda Item, Expulsions and deportations, Hebron, House demolitions, Inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, Internally displaced persons, Legal issues, Occupation, Palestine question, Peace conference, Refugees and displaced persons, Settlements, Shelter
Publication Date: 12/07/1985