Situation in the OPT/Deportations – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

GENERAL ASSEMBLY                                    SECURITY COUNCIL

Forty-sixth session                                 Forty-seventh year

Agenda item 33

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

Letter dated 6 January 1992 from the Acting Chairman of the

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the

Palestinian People to the Secretary-General

In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I wish to condemn the decision by Israel, the occupying Power, to continue its deportations of Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory.

According to The New York Times of 3 January 1992, the Israeli Defence Minister has ordered the deportation of 12 residents of the occupied Palestinian territory suspected of directing and taking part in violent acts against Israel.  They were identified Raáfat al Najar, Ahmad Abu Seif, Iyhab Al Ashkar, Sami Abu Samhadan, Khader Atich Khader, Ahmad Hamdan and Marwan Afanah – from the Gaza Strip – and Omar Safi, Ghassan Jarrar, Hassan Shaaban, Ali Al-Khatib and Iyad Judeh from the West Bank.  The deportations were ordered following pressure on the Government by Jewish settlers after ambush attacks on four of their number in the last 10 weeks. The 12 men have not been accused of involvement in any of the attacks.

The New York Times also reported that, since the beginning of the intifadah, Israel has deported at least 66 Palestinians, not including the 12 men mentioned above, in violation of Article 49 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, and several resolutions of the Security Council.

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People is gravely concerned at the increasing imposition of harsh collective punishment against the population of the occupied Palestinian territory, such as curfews, school closings, administrative detention, and other repressive measures contrary to Israel's obligations as the occupying Power.  The Committee is also greatly concerned at recent statements by Israeli officials indicating an intention to increase the number and size of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, which represents a serious obstruction to the establishment of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Committee therefore addresses an urgent appeal to you, as well as all the parties concerned, to see that all the necessary measures are taken in order to induce Israel, the occupying Power, to desist forthwith from deporting the 12 men and to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported.

I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 33, and of the Security Council.

                           (Signed)  Ricardo ALARCON DE QUESADA

                                                  Acting Chairman of the

                                                Committee on the Exercise

                                                of the Inalienable Rights

                                                of the Palestinian People

—–