Palestine question – Conciliation Commission communicates with Israel on Jerusalem – Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/478

2 April 1949

UN CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE SENDS

COMMUNICATION TO ISRAELI GOVERNMENT ON JERUSALEM

(The following was received at UN Headquarters from the Press Officer

with the UN Conciliation Commission for Palestine in Beirut.)

In a communication to the Israeli Government, the UN Conciliation Commission for Palestine drew attention yesterday, 1 April, to recent press reports that certain departments of the Tel Aviv Government were about to be transferred to Jerusalem.  The Commission pointed out that if these reports were confirmed, it would have to call the attention of the Israeli Government to the fact that such a move would be incompatible with Paragraph VIII of the General Assembly resolution of 11 December 1948, which stipulates that the Jerusalem area should receive separate treatment from the rest of Palestine and should be internationalized under effective United Nations control.

The Commission further stated that if the reports were confirmed it would have to include its point of view on this matter in its report to the Secretary-General.

The Conciliation Commission is now awaiting replies from Arab Governments to suggestions for a further exchange of views to be held in the near future at a place to be designated later.  After the Beirut meeting, the Commission plans to hold an exchange of views with the Israeli Government in Tel Aviv next week.  It will then return temporarily to Jerusalem.

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