Arab-israeli Conflict a Pervasive Topic in Upcoming General Assembly

The Arab-Israeli conflict and its ramifications is a pervasive topic on the agenda of the 35th session of the General Assembly, which is scheduled to open here Sept. 16.

According to the provisional agenda of the Assembly, two major debates relating to the Mideast conflict will take place in the early weeks of the session, on the “Question on Palestine” (item 24 on the agenda) and “The Situation in the Mideast” (item 26). Both debates will provide the stage as in previous years, for virulent attacks on Israel by the Arabs and their supporters and for pro-Palestine Liberation Organization resolutions.

A NEW ARAB PROJECT

A relatively new project the Arabs have adopted in recent years with which to assail Israel is the issue of nuclear armament. Two items on the issue are scheduled on this year’s agenda: “Establishment of a Nuclear Free Zone in the Region of the Mideast” (item 38) and “Israeli Nuclear Armament — Report of the Secretary General” (item 49).

Other items on the agenda that will give the Arabs the chance to blast Israel and possibly pass resolutions against it deal with the UN peacekeeping forces in the Mideast, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees and Israel’s policies in the occupied territories.

In addition, Israel will be the subject for sharp attacks during the debates on “International Covenants on Human Rights” (item 76), “United Nations Decode for Women” (item 80) and “Torture and Other Cruel and inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” (item 82).

Another highlight of the anti-Israeli mood in the upcoming Assembly is “Palestine Day” on Nov. 29, with a special gathering of the General Assembly. In addition, the general debate, which opens the three-month Assembly will be replete with anti-Israeli, anti-Zionist statements when representatives of Arab, Communist and Third World countries deliver their major foreign policy addresses to the Assembly.