Sitution in the OPT/Ibrahimi Mosque – Letter from Palestine

Letter dated 23 October 1989 from the Permanent Observer

of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

Upon instructions from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which has the power and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of the State of Palestine, we bring the following to your immediate attention:

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory has deteriorated further; the oppressive measures practised by Israel are on the increase and again Israel continues to violate the human rights of the Palestinian people living in the occupied territory.

On 20 October 1989, Israeli settlers attacked the sacred Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, tearing up the Holy Quraan.  In addition, Israeli armed soldiers attacked Palestinian youth inside the grounds of the Holy Mosque.

Furthermore, a 16-year-old girl called Sonia Al Wawi from Toulkarem was killed yesterday afternoon by Israeli gunfire.  Sonia was shot in the head by the Israeli soldiers during an attack that they launched against the town of Toulkarem, which also resulted in the injury of tens of Palestinians and the arrest of several others.

The Israeli occupying forces and the Israeli tax collectors are continuing their assaults on Palestinian villages.  Just yesterday the village of Qualqilia was attacked and many of its inhabitants were arrested and taken to the Israeli military governor's headquarters and their identification cards taken from them.

Recalling that in its resolution 43/233 of 20 April 1989 the General Assembly had almost unanimously requested the Security Council "to consider with urgency the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory with a view to considering measures needed to provide international protection to the Palestinian civilians in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem", I would bring to your attention that Israel, the occupying power, has persisted in its practices and policies towards the Palestinian people.

I am instructed to request that Your Excellency respond immediately to the request of the General Assembly, as such acts of state terrorism by Israel, the occupying power, constitute a definite threat to international peace and security.

We would be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 37, 39 and 78, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Zuhdi Labib TERZI

Permanent Observer of Palestine

to the United Nations

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