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A/RES/51/223 GA

Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular in occupied East Jerusalem : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

51
Session
130
Yes
2
No
2
Abstentions
Draft symbol A/51/L.68
Adopted symbol A/RES/51/223
Category POLITICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS
Voeten Topics
P5 Positions
Russia United States United Kingdom China France
UN Document A/RES/51/223 ↗

Vote Recorded VoteA/51/PV.93 March 13, 1997

— Abstain (2)
✗ No (2)
Absent (51)
✓ Yes (130)
Speeches following this vote (13) may include explanations of vote
The President
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation
Mr. Richardson (United States of America)
The United States shares the concerns expressed by many countries during the debate in this Hall on the issue of construction by the Government of Israel in the Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim area of Jerusalem. I believe that the views of the United States are well known in this matter. Let me take this opportunity to restate them. We believe that the decision of the Government of Israel to commence …
Mr. Camacho Omiste (Plurinational State of Bolivia)
The delegation of Bolivia would like to explain its vote on the resolution entitled “Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular in occupied East Jerusalem”. The delegation of Bolivia voted in favour of the resolution considered under General Assembly agenda items 33 and 35, in keeping with the decisions of the United Nations and particularly Security Counc…
Mr. Fowler (Canada)
Canada is deeply saddened and shocked by the attack against innocent Israeli schoolchildren today in Jordan, and we too extend our condolences to their families. Such deplorable acts of violence must not be allowed to derail the peace process. We believe that maintaining the current peace process is essential, and we hope that the parties will resume negotiations shortly towards the achievement o…
The President
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the vote. I now call on the representative of Mauritania, who wishes to speak on a point of order.
The President
I now call on the representative of Vanuatu, who wishes to speak on a point of order.
Mr. Ravou-Akii (Vanuatu)
My delegation could not participate in the voting for reasons related to Article 19 of the Charter of the United Nations, as we have not paid our arrears to the budget of the Organization. Had we been able to vote, we would have supported the resolution, just as we have supported previous resolutions dealing with the Middle East peace process.
The President
In accordance with General Assembly resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and 43/177 of 15 December 1988, I now call on the Observer of Palestine.
Mr. Al-Kidwa (State of Palestine)
I would like to express our deep appreciation to all Member States that voted in favour of the resolution adopted by the General Assembly this afternoon. Their support reflected the almost unanimous support of the international community and the Member States of the United Nations. In the adoption of this resolution, 57 Member States voted in favour of such a resolution for the first time, and we…
The President
I call on the representative of the Netherlands on a point of order.
Mr. Biegman (Netherlands)
I would not have asked to speak again on behalf of the European Union were it not for the horrific shooting incident that took place today on the border between Israel and Jordan, in which six Israeli schoolgirls and their teacher were killed and another six wounded. We are shocked and grieved that, once again, innocent civilian lives have fallen victim to senseless violence caused by one misled…
The President
I call on the representative of Jordan on a point of order. Prince Zeid Raid (Jordan): In reference to the events of this morning, I would like to express, on behalf of the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, our deepest sorrow for the terrible tragedy that befell a group of Israeli children along the Jordanian-Israeli border. My Government has deplored unreservedly this criminal act …
The President
We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda items 33 and 35.
Full text of resolution OCR extract — may contain errors
UNITED UNITED A NATIONS NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/51/223 14 March 1997 Fifty-first session Agenda items 33 and 35 RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [without reference to a Main Committee (A/51/L.68 and Add.1)] 51/223. Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular in occupied East Jerusalem The General Assembly, Having considered the letters dated 21,1 252 and 273 February 1997 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine on behalf of the States members of the League of Arab States, Expressing deep concern at the decision of the Government of Israel to initiate new settlement activities in the Jebel Abu Ghneim area in East Jerusalem, Expressing concern about other recent measures that encourage or facilitate new settlement activities, 1 A/51/805-S/1997/149; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty- second Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1997, document S/1997/149. 2 A/51/808-S/1997/157; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty- second Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1997, document S/1997/157. 3 Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-second Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1997, document S/1997/165. 97-77185 /... A/RES/51/223 Page 2 Stressing that such settlements are illegal and a major obstacle to peace, Recalling its resolutions on Jerusalem and other relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, Confirming that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel which purport to alter the status of Jerusalem, including expropriation of land and properties thereon, are invalid and cannot change that status, Reaffirming its support for the Middle East peace process and all its achievements, including the recent agreement on Hebron, Concerned about the difficulties facing the Middle East peace process, including the impact these have on the living conditions of the Palestinian people, and urging the parties to fulfil their obligations, including under the agreements already reached, Having discussed the situation at its 91st, 92nd and 93rd plenary meetings on 12 and 13 March 1997, 1. Calls upon the Israeli authorities to refrain from all actions or measures, including settlement activities, which alter the facts on the ground, pre-empting the final status negotiations, and have negative implications for the Middle East peace process; 2. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949,4 which is applicable to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967; 3. Calls upon all parties to continue, in the interests of peace and security, their negotiations within the Middle East peace process on its agreed basis and the timely implementation of the agreements reached; 4. Requests the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Government of Israel the provisions of the present resolution. 93rd plenary meeting 13 March 1997 4 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970 to 973.
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