Arab delegations’ views of definition of family – UNCCP – Letter

UNITED NATIONS CONCILIATION COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE

GENERAL COMMITTEE

Letter dated 6 July 1949,

addressed by the Chairman of the General

Committee to the Delegation of Israel

Sir,

During the meeting held this morning by the General Committee with the Delegation of Israel, you expressed the wish to learn the point of view of the Arab delegations concerning the definition of the family as put forward in the letter from the head of the delegation of Israel of 27 June last.

I have the honour to inform you that the indications given in the above-mentioned letter were examined with special attention by the Committee and the Arab delegations at a meeting on 5 July 1949.

The Arab delegations pointed out that the manners and customs of the East accord to the family a very much wider basis than that which prevails in the West. Thus, to quote an example, children of both sexes would be considered, in accordance with these customs, as continuing to belong to the family of their father, however old they might be.

I have the honour to bring the above to your attention, for any purpose that you may consider useful, and to remain,

Sir,

Your obedient servant

(s) Geoffrey de la Tour du Pin
Chairman of the

General Committee