An Arab draft resolution requesting Israel to rescind its decision to disband the town council of El Bireh and dismiss its mayor, Ibrahim Tawil, was circulated here last night as the Security Council opened its debate on the current unrest on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The preliminary draft resolution also declares that Israel’s dismissal of El Bireh’s town council is “null and void” and that the action violates international law. The draft states that if Israel fails to comply, the Security Council should meet again at the end of April to take “appropriate measures,” which could mean sanctions against Israel. In addition, the draft measure calls for Israel to be condemned for its actions on the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights.
ISRAEL SAYS PLO IS RESPONSIBLE
At the opening of last night’s meeting, which was called by Jordan, Israel charged that the Palestine Liberation Organization was responsible for the current unrest on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Ambassador Yehuda Blum of Israel said that while Israel was building a “framework for the peaceful coexistence between Jew and Arab,” the PLO and Jordan were “conspiring to destroy it.”
The envoy charged that the PLO commanded the Arab leaders on the West Bank not to cooperate with the Israeli civilian authorities. This order by the PLO was obeyed by the mayor of El Bireh and he was therefore dismissed by the Israelis, Blum charged.
Ambassador Hazem Nuseibeh of Jordan termed the Israeli actions on the West Bank as “brutal acts of oppression.” He called on the Security Council to ensure “with all means at its disposal, the termination of Israeli occupation which in some two months will have lasted 15 long years. “He accused Israel of “wonton, inhuman and indiscriminate use of fire arms” against unarmed demonstrators. He claimed that Israel aimed at emptying the territories of the Arab-Palestinian population.
The Security Council, which meets today to hear a Nicaroguan complaint against the U.S., will probably continue its West Bank Gaza debate tomorrow.
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