Mideast situation/Palestine question – Letter from Palestine

Identical letters dated 16 October 2000 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

In follow-up to my last five letters, dated 29 September 2000, 2 October 2000, 4 October 2000, 9 October 2000 and 12 October 2000 (A/55/432-S/2000/921, A/55/437-S/2000/930, A/55/450-S/2000/957, A/55/466-S/2000/971, A/55/474-S/2000/984, respectively), I regret to inform you once more that Israel, the occupying Power, continues with its campaign of terror against the Palestinian people and continues to massacre and injure more Palestinian civilians. Israel, the occupying Power, has persisted in its campaign in total disregard of Security Council resolution 1322 (2000) of 7 October 2000.

Since my letter dated 9 October 2000, to which were annexed the names of martyrs killed between 4 and 8 October 2000, until today, the Israeli occupying forces have killed 11 more Palestinians, bringing the total number to 87. (The names of the martyrs are contained in the annex to the present letter.) The number of those injured has also increased, rising to over 3,000, many of whom are in critical condition.

In addition to the above, Israel, the occupying Power, has intensified the severe restrictions it has imposed on the movement of persons and goods. At the present time, there is a virtual siege imposed by the occupying Power on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, which has already caused great difficulties for the population. This siege has included the shutting down of the air space of Gaza International Airport, as well as the closure of other international crossing points.

We regret that the Security Council did not respond, on 12 October 2000, to our call for an immediate meeting and action by the Council. At this stage, we once again stress the imperative need for full compliance by Israel, the occupying Power, with Security Council resolution 1322 (2000), and all other relevant resolutions of the Council. We also stress the overall responsibility of the Council and the international community as a whole to ensure such compliance.

I would be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter distributed as an official document of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly, under agenda items 36, 40, 41 and 85, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Nasser Al-Kidwa

Ambassador

Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations

Annex to the identical letters dated 16 October 2000 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

Names of martyrs killed by the Israeli security forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem

(Wednesday, 11 October-Monday, 16 October 2000)