Situation in the OPT/Bir Zeit University – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL Thirty-seventh session Thirty-seventh year

Item 31 of the preliminary list *

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

Letter dated 18 February 1982 from the Chairman of the Committee on the

 Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to the

 Secretary-General

As Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I wish to express the profound concern caused to the Committee by the Israeli decision once again to close down Bir Zeit University.

It may be recalled that I previously drew attention, on 13 November 1981 (see A/36/688-S/14754), to the Committee's profound concern at certain acts committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian Arab territory of the West Bank, where the closing of Bir Zeit University had provoked a protest by the international community and led to a campaign in Israel and abroad for its  opening.

The New York Times of 17 February 1982 reports that the Israeli Military Government has again ordered the closing of Bir Zeit University for a period of two months.  It is the second time in four months that this has happened.  It is worth mentioning that classes had resumed only on 4 January 1982.  The New York Times also reports that 50 students and teachers at the University have been arrested.

The situation in the occupied territories remains extremely tense, and acts committed there in violation of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions can only further exacerbate tensions in the region.

The Committee considers it to be of the greatest importance that energetic measures should be taken, particularly by the Security Council, to put an end to acts and policies which endanger international peace and security.

I should be obliged if you would circulate the text of this letter as a document of the General Assembly, under item 31 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

________

* A/37/50.

82-04422 0251c (E)