Palestine question/PNC Declaration of Independence – Letter from Israel

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Letter dated 21 November 1988 from the Charge d'affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations

addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions of my Government, I have the honour to transmit to you a statement issued by the Government of Israel on 20 November 1988 with regard to the PNC declarations in Algiers (see annex).

In this regard, the Vice Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, His Excellency Mr. Shimon Peres, on 18 November 1988, declared that in the complex and fragile setting of the Arab-Israeli dispute, the Algiers resolutions seem to have further complicated prospects for a solution. They have violated the essential prerequisite: that no unilateral step can substitute for a negotiated settlement. Hence, any recognition or legitimation of these declarations can only serve to reinforce the illusion that the outcome of the desired negotiations can be prejudged by unilateral acts or declarations.

The Vice Premier added that, since the issuing of the official text of the so-called "Declaration of Independence" and the wave of unofficial versions of the "political statement" that was to accompany it, it became apparent that neither the assumed acceptance of Security Council resolution 242 (1967), nor the implied recognition of Israel, nor the alleged abandonment of terrorism have taken place. Indeed the critical and careful balance represented by resolution 242 was violated and distorted to the point of threatening to undermine the only commonly accepted basis for a solution. Terrorism inside Israel and the territories was specifically legitimized and even the outdated General Assembly resolution 181 (II) of 20 November 1947 – overtaken by events as recognized by resolution 242 – was deformed so as to rule out any interpretation of an implied acceptance of a Jewish State on any part of mandatory Palestine.

The Vice Premier concluded by saying that all peace-loving States should avoid any step that would lend a hand to the PLO's attempt to substitute ambiguity for clear decisions. No support should be given for an act that is bound to prove counterproductive.

Israel reiterates its readiness to make every effort to rekindle the peace process in our area. As we seek a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the dispute, we have long considered the Palestinian (and Jordanian) context as the preferred next phase in this effort.

I would be grateful if this letter and its enclosure could be circulated as a document of the General Assembly under agenda items 37 and 40.

ANNEX

Statement issued on 20 November 1988 by the

Government of Israel

The declaration of the PNC is nothing but an additional operation of disinformation, fostering illusions and attempting to mislead world public opinion. The PLO has not changed its basic character. It has not changed its charter, its policy and its adherence to terrorism. States genuinely interested in furthering peace in the Middle East must recognize that the PLO was and is the main stumbling block to peace. It is essential that they therefore refrain from supporting and recognizing any of its declarations.

Peace between Israel and its neighbours will be reached only by negotiation, and this latest exercise of the PNC prevents any serious and helpful negotiation. Those who assist the PLO in this regard postpone and prevent the achievement of peace in our region.