UN Council Majority Statement Deplores Israeli Settlements; U.S. Objects to Statement As Too Harsh

The Security Council received a majority statement this afternoon deploring the establishment of settlements by Israel in occupied Arab territories as an “obstacle” to peace “which cannot pre-judge the outcome of negotiations for the establishment of peace.” The statement, which expressed “grave anxiety” over the present situation in the territories and “concern about the fate of the population” there, enjoined Israel “to desist and rescind” such measures.

The majority statement was presented to the Security Council by its President, Louis de Guiringaud of France, at the final session of the body’s current debate. The debate began on May 3 at the urgent request of Egypt to investigate the situation on the West Bank.

Debate was suspended for nearly three weeks while the Arab states sought to agree among themselves on a resolution condemning Israel’s occupation practices. A draft resolution by Egypt, which gained agreement by the Arab states last week, was subsequently ruled out by them because of the likelihood of an American veto. Similarly, American objections eliminated the possibility of a consensus statement which would have required the unanimous endorsement of all 15 Council members.

The U.S. reportedly objected to the majority statement on grounds that it is too harsh. China and Libya reportedly objected that it was not strong enough.

TEXT OF STATEMENT

The majority statement said: “The Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to Protection of Civilians in Time of War is applicable to the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The Security Council therefore calls upon the occupying Power to comply strictly with the provisions of the Convention and to desist and rescind from any measures that would violate them.

“It accordingly deplores the initiative taken by Israel in occupied Arab territories, which could alter their demographic composition or geographical nature, and particularly the establishment of settlements. Such initiatives, which cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations for the establishment of peace, constitute an obstacle to this peace effort.

“Lastly, the Security Council express grave anxiety over the present situation in occupied Arab territories and incidents which are still occurring there it also express concern about the fats of the population of these territories.”

HERZOG REJECTS THESIS

After the statement was read, Israeli Ambassador Chaim Herzog, declared: “Israel rejects the thesis that the establishment of settlements is an obstacle to peace. We reject it out of hand. The obstacle to peace is not what Israel is doing after having waited for well night three decades. The obstacle to peace is the Arab refusal to recognize the Jewish people’s right to sovereignty in its ancient homeland.”

The road to peace, he said, “lies only via the negotiating table and as long as the member states of the United Nations do not make this crystal clear to the Arab states, we shall continue to listen to this useless rhetoric at this table, month after month, while the tragedy in the Middle East continues.”

Herzog noted that Israel must take security precautions because the “Arab states maintain that a state of war exists with Israel.” Nevertheless, he added, when Israel takes steps to ensure its security, they are deplored. “Why?” he asked. “As long as our neighbors maintain that a state of war exists, are we not entitled to take reasonable steps to protect our population?”