Jerusalem/preservation of cultural property – UNESCO resolutions (excerpts)

RECORDS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

TWENTY-SECOND SESSION

PARIS, 25 OCTOBER 60 26 NOVEMBER 1983

Volume 1

RESOLUTIONS

…

11.8 Jerusalem and the application of 21C/Resolution 4/14

The General Conference,

Recalling the Constitution of UNESCO and its objectives relating to the preservation and protection of the world heritage of monuments of historical and scientific value,

Considering the exceptional importance of the cultural property in the City of Jerusalem, not only to the countries directly concerned but to all humanity,

Recalling all the relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the General Conference and the Executive Board of UNESCO, in particular 21C/Resolution 4/14,

Recalling that the General Conference, by that resolution, invited the Executive Board to review developments in the situation regarding Jerusalem and to take any measures that it might consider appropriate, and invited the Director-General to keep a constant watch on the execution of the resolutions and decisions concerning Jerusalem,

Having noted the report contained in document 22C/90, and in particular the report (116EX/18) submitted by the Director-General to the Executive Board at its 116th session,

Considering with consternation and concern that the Israeli occupying authorities are persisting in their refusal to apply the above-mentioned resolutions and decisions,

Noting specifically:

(a) that those authorities are continuing to carry out excavations and are (undertaking civil engineering and building operations detrimental to the historical and cultural character of the Holy City,

(b) that the archaeological excavations and constructions begun and continued since 1967 are causing irreparable damage and harm to the Holy City of Jerusalem,

(c) that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is more and more seriously and gravely endangered as a result of excavations and of the acts of armed aggression that have been perpetrated against it by fanatical groups,

(d) that the objective of the establishment of Jewish colonies around the City of Jerusalem and of small Jewish religious communities inside the city is the judaization of the City of Jerusalem,

Considering further that, in persisting in their policy of annexation of Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities are deliberately refusing to abide by the decisions of the United Nations and UNESCO in the matter,

Considering that the above-mentioned policy and practices, which have repeatedly been denounced and condemned by the international community, constitute a constant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitution of UNESCO and the international conventions and recommendations relating to the protection of cultural property in the occupied territories,

/. Reaffirms the previous resolutions and decisions of the General Conference and the Executive Board concerning cultural property in Jerusalem;

2. Endorses decision 5.4.1 adopted by the Executive Board at its 116th session;

3. Strongly condemns Israel's persistent refusal to abide by those resolutions and decisions, and its policy of judaization and annexation of the City of Jerusalem;

4. Invites the Member States of UNESCO to undertake all necessary action, by such means as they may deem appropriate, to put an end to this situation;

5. Thanks the World Heritage Committee for its decision to include the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger and invites it to continue its activities for the protection and safeguarding of cultural property in the city;

6. Thanks the Director-General for the continued efforts he has made to ensure implementation of the relevant resolutions and decisions, while maintaining UNESCO's presence in the city;

7. Requests the Director-General to keep the Executive Beard informed of developments in the situation;

8. Decides to include this question in the agenda of its twenty-third session.

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1. Resolution adopted on the report of the Nominations Committee at the thirty-first plenary meeting, on 24 November 1983.