Palestine question – Iraqi communication to the Secretary-General – Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/462

16 March 1949

IRAQI COMMUNICATION TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Secretary-General Trygve Lie has received the following letter, dated 5 March, from the Arab Department of Foreign Ministry of Iraq:

"The Ministry for Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Secretary-General, United Nations and has the honour to communicate that reports of a grave nature were received by the Iraqi Government to the effect that Zionist gangs are expelling the Arab population comprising children and aged men from Zionist occupied regions in Palestine.

A. Two such groups of Arabs were expelled by Zionists, one consisting of 17 persons most of whom were women and children, and the other of 42 persons all of whom were men who took refuge with Iraqi forces stationed at the Zabounah and Aara regions; they were machine gunned by the Jewish forces as they were proceeding to the Iraqi front lines.  The Iraqi Military authorities who harbored those refugees in the Jenin area have informed the delegations of the International Red Cross Committee at Ram-Allah and the Truce representatives at Nablus of the two incidents in order that contact be made with the refugees and full particulars obtained — special rolls are prepared showing their names and the areas from which they have come.

B. 250  Arabs, all being women, children and disabled persons, have been driven away to the Jenin area.

C. 170 disabled Arabs and children were driven away from their homes to Jenin and had to take refuge with Iraqi forces stationed in that sector.

It is clear that there is strong evidence that Zionists are putting into effect a determined policy of expelling piecemeal all the children and disabled Arabs from their homes and lands to the obligation of their maintenance.

The Iraqi Military authorities have communicated this information to the International Red Cross Committee so as the necessary steps be taken to stop the recurrence of such Zionist crimes against humanity in defiance of the principles of international law.

In view of the inevitable repercussions of such acts resulting in dispersing the Arab population the majority of whom are women and children, as well as the unavoidable increase in the number of refugees, the Iraqi Governments lodges the strongest protest against this savage treatment of helpless, unarmed peoples and requests that speedy and effective measures be taken immediately to prevent the recurrence of these inhumane deeds.

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew the expression of its highest consideration."

This letter has been forwarded to the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine and the Acting Mediator, Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, for their information.

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