Resolution and Decision
of the Security Council
1 August 2008 – 31 July 2009
NOTE
The present volume of Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council contains the resolutions adopted and the decisions taken by the Council on substantive questions during the period from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009, as well as decisions on some of the more important procedural matters. The resolutions and decisions are set out in parts I and II, under general headings indicating the questions under consideration. In each part, the questions are arranged according to the date on which they were first taken up by the Council, and under each question the resolutions and decisions appear in chronological order.
The resolutions are numbered in the order of their adoption. Each resolution is followed by the result of the vote. Decisions are usually taken without a vote.
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Part I. Questions considered by the Security Council under its responsibility
for the maintenance of international peace and security
ITEMS RELATING TO THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Decisions
At its 5963rd meeting, on 20 August 2008, the Security Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At its 5974th meeting, on 18 September 2008, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.
At its 5983rd meeting, on 26 September 2008, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Israel and Saudi Arabia (Minister for Foreign Affairs) to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled:
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, in response to the request dated 25 September 2008 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Council,2 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States in response to the request dated 25 September 2008 from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Council.
At its 5999th meeting, on 22 October 2008, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At its 6022nd meeting, on 25 November 2008, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At its 6030th meeting, on 3 December 2008, the Council decided to invite the representative of Israel to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in response to his request dated 3 December 2008 to the President of the Council,3 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At its 6045th meeting, on 16 December 2008, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
Resolution 1850 (2008)
of 16 December 2008
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002 and 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003, and the Madrid principles,
Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,
Welcoming the statement by the Quartet of 9 November 20084 and the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Understanding announced at the conference held in Annapolis, United States of America, on 27 November 2007,5 including in relation to the implementation of the performance-based road map to a permanent two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,6
Noting that lasting peace can only be based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement and terror, and the two-State solution, building upon previous agreements and obligations,
Noting also the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative,7
Encouraging the ongoing work of the Quartet to support the parties in their efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,
1. Declares its support for the negotiations initiated at Annapolis, United States of America, on 27 November 2007 and its commitment to the irreversibility of the bilateral negotiations;
2. Supports the parties’ agreed principles for the bilateral negotiating process and their determined efforts to reach their goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without exception, which confirm the seriousness of the Annapolis process;
3. Calls upon both parties to fulfil their obligations under the performance-based road map to a permanent two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,6 as stated in their Annapolis Joint Understanding,5 and to refrain from any steps that could undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of negotiations;
4. Calls upon all States and international organizations to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations and to support the Palestinian government that is committed to the Quartet principles and the Arab Peace Initiative7 and respects the commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization, to assist in the development of the Palestinian economy, to maximize the resources available to the Palestinian Authority, and to contribute to the Palestinian institution-building programme in preparation for statehood;
5. Urges an intensification of diplomatic efforts to foster, in parallel with progress in the bilateral process, mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence between all States in the region in the context of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;
6. Welcomes the Quartet’s consideration, in consultation with the parties, of an international meeting in Moscow in 2009;
7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Adopted at the 6045th meeting
by 14 votes to none, with 1 abstention
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya).
Decisions
At its 6049th meeting, on 18 December 2008, the Security Council decided to invite the representatives of Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Iceland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in response to the request dated 11 December 2008 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine addressed to the President of the Council,8 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.
At the same meeting, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Paul Badji, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in response to his request dated 15 December 2008.
At its 6060th meeting, on 31 December 2008, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Egypt and Israel to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled:
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in response to his request dated 31 December 2008 to the President of the Council,8 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Yahya Mahmassani, Permanent Observer for the League of Arab States to the United Nations, in response to the request dated 31 December 2008 from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Council.
At its 6061st meeting, on 6 January 2009, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Egypt (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Israel, Jordan (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Lebanon (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants), Morocco (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Norway (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Qatar (Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) and Saudi Arabia (Minister for Foreign Affairs) to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, in response to the request dated 6 January 2009 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Council,10 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States.
Upon resumption of the meeting, on 7 January 2009, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Paul Badji, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in response to his request dated 7 January 2009.
At its 6063rd meeting, on 8 January 2009, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Egypt (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Israel and Saudi Arabia (Minister for Foreign Affairs) to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, in response to the request dated 8 January 2009 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Council,11 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
Resolution 1860 (2009)
of 8 January 2009
The Security Council,
Recalling all its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003 and 1850 (2008) of 16 December 2008,
Stressing that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the territory occupied in 1967 and will be a part of the Palestinian State,
Emphasizing the importance of the safety and well-being of all civilians,
Expressing grave concern at the escalation of violence and the deterioration of the situation, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties since the refusal to extend the period of calm, and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected,
Expressing grave concern also at the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,
Emphasizing the need to ensure sustained and regular flow of goods and people through the Gaza crossings,
Recognizing the vital role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in providing humanitarian and economic assistance within Gaza,
Recalling that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means,
Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,
1. Stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza;
2. Calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment;
3. Welcomes the initiatives aimed at creating and opening humanitarian corridors and other mechanisms for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid;
4. Calls upon Member States to support international efforts to alleviate the humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza, including through urgently needed additional contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and through the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee;
5. Condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism;
6. Calls upon Member States to intensify efforts to provide arrangements and guarantees in Gaza in order to sustain a durable ceasefire and calm, including to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the sustained reopening of the crossing points on the basis of the Agreement on Movement and Access of 15 November 2005 between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and in this regard welcomes the Egyptian initiative and other regional and international efforts that are under way;
7. Encourages tangible steps towards intra-Palestinian reconciliation, including in support of mediation efforts of Egypt and the League of Arab States as expressed in the resolution of 26 November 2008, and consistent with Security Council resolution 1850 (2008) and other relevant resolutions;
8. Calls for renewed and urgent efforts by the parties and the international community to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders, as envisaged in resolution 1850 (2008), and recalls also the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative;7
9. Welcomes the Quartet’s consideration, in consultation with the parties, of an international meeting in Moscow in 2009;
10. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Adopted at the 6063rd meeting
by 14 votes to none, with 1 abstention
(United States of America).
Decisions
At its 6072nd meeting, on 21 January 2009, the Security Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At its 6077th meeting, on 27 January 2009, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend invitations, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms. Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
At its 6084th meeting, on 18 February 2009, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.
At its 6100th meeting, on 25 March 2009, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, the Syrian Arab Republic and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.12
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in response to his request dated 23 March 2009 to the President of the Council,13 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At the same meeting, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Paul Badji, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in response to his request dated 20 March 2009.
At its 6107th meeting, on 20 April 2009, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
At its 6123rd meeting, on 11 May 2009, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, following consultations among members of the Security Council, the President made the following statement on behalf of the Council:14
At its 6150th meeting, on 23 June 2009, the Council considered the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.
At its 6171st meeting, on 27 July 2009, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Bangladesh, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia to participate, without vote, in accordance with rule 37 of its provisional rules of procedure, in the discussion of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
At the same meeting, the Council also decided to extend an invitation to the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, in response to the request dated 22 July 2009 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the President of the Council,15 in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure of the Council and its previous practice in that regard.
At the same meeting, in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations, the Council further decided to extend an invitation, under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure, to Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
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1Resolutions or decisions on this question were first adopted by the Security Council in 2000.
2Document S/2008/623, incorporated in the record of the 5983rd meeting.
3Document S/2008/755, incorporated in the record of the 6030th meeting.
4Available from www.unsco.org.
5Available from http://unispal.un.org.
6S/2003/529, annex.
7S/2002/932, annex II, resolution 14/221.
8Document S/2008/794, incorporated in the record of the 6049th meeting.
9Document S/2008/844, incorporated in the record of the 6060th meeting.
10S/2009/9.
11 S/2009/24.
12Afghanistan did not submit a request to be invited to participate; its listing in S/PV.6100 was a technical error.
13Document S/2009/153, incorporated in the record of the 6100th meeting.
14S/PRST/2009/14.
15Document S/2009/380, incorporated in the record of the 6171st meeting.
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Document Type: Decision, Resolution, Security Council resolution
Document Sources: Security Council
Subject: Middle East situation, Palestine question, Peace process, Quartet
Publication Date: 01/08/2009