Israel rejected today a request by the Security Council that the Mayor of Hebron, Fahed Kawasme, be allowed to come to New York to take part in the ongoing debate in the Council on Israel’s police in the West Bank and its decision in principle, to allow Jews to settle in Hebron.
In a letter to Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, who submitted the Council’s request to Yehuda Blum; Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, last Saturday following the first meeting of the Council Friday evening, the Israeli envoy said his government decided not to permit the Mayor of Hebron “to travel abroad at this time.”
Noting that Israel has followed “a liberal policy” regarding the travel abroad of the residents of Gaza, Judaea and Samaria, and that “Mr. Kawasme himself has been the beneficiary of this liberal approach on numerous occasions, “Blum said that” the purpose of his (Kawasme) trip on this occasion will be to lend support to Israel’s a vowed enemies…in their unrelenting political warfare against Israel.”
The Security Council was scheduled to resume its debate late this afternoon. Blum, an Israeli spokesman said, was scheduled to address the meeting and explain Israel’s refusal to allow the Mayor of Hebron to attend the current debate.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
