United States’ draft proposal for an international regime for Jerusalem – UNCCP’s Cttee on Jerusalem – Working paper

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

COMMITTEE ON JERUSALEM

WORKING PAPER PREPARED BY THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION

I. BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGIME

A. Jerusalem is constituted as an International City.

B. A United Nations Authority with power to regulate:

1. Protection for and free access to the Holy Places.

2. Protection of human rights and the rights of minority groups.

3. Common public services.

4. External relations.

C. An International Judiciary with power to determine questions of competence among the various organs of government.

D. Local democratic self-government in Jewish and Arab areas respectively as to all matters not placed within the jurisdiction of the International Authority.

E. Provision for financing the City.

F. Provision for the maintenance of peace and order in the City.

II. POINTS TO BE INCLUDED IN STATUTE

A. Jerusalem is constituted as an International City. Its boundaries shall be…(as described in the resolution).

B. United Nations Authority shall have power to make ordinances regulating:

1. Protection, for and .free access to the Holy Places

2. Protection of human rights and the rights of minority groups, using as a guide, to the extent possible, the United Nations Declaration approved by the General Assembly in 1948.

3. The demilitarization of the City and the preservation of public order. Local law and order to be maintained by the respective Jewish and Arab administration.

4. Financial and budgetary matters. The local Arab and Jewish administrations shall make contributions to the international authority in amounts to be determined from time to time by the Authority.

5. Common public services:

6. Free access to and from Jerusalem and within the City for persons and goods.

7. Administration of special districts or supervision of neutralized areas as may be provided in the present Statute.

8. External relations.

D. Local democratic self-government in Jewish and Arab areas respectively as to all matters not placed within the jurisdiction of the United Nations Administration.

E. An International Tribunal to be composed of three Judges to be selected by the President of the International Court of Justice, to decide questions relating to the competence of the organs of government herein provided, including the local Arab and Jewish administrations, and jurisdictional conflicts between courts, including religious courts.

F. The United Nations Authority shall report to the Trusteeship Council, and shall also report to the Security Council on matters relating to the security and integrity of the International City.

G. The United Nations Authority may, with the consent of the local Jewish and Arab administrations, provide for Jerusalem citizenship. In the absence of such provision, the right to participate in the government of the City shall not depend upon citizenship in any State.

H. Mount Scopus shall be under Jewish administration, but subject to demilitarization and supervision of the United Nations Authority.

I. Frontier inspections and other incidents of international boundaries shall be carried out on the perimeter and not on the demarcation line within the City.

J. The United Nations Authority shall co-operate with the local administrations with a view to the preservation and development of the physical aspects of Jerusalem, and the promotion of the economic, social and cultural welfare of its inhabitants.