The Palestine Liberation Organization disclosed yesterday its plan to eliminate the State of Israel by overwhelming it demographically. According to Zehdi Labib Terzi, the PLO observer at the UN, all that is required is the return of Palestinian refugees to the homes and property they left in 1948 and 1949, a right which Terzi claims is inherent in UN resolutions.
“That return would alter the demographic balance in Israel to such an extent that it would destroy its (Israel’s) Zionist exclusionist character,” Terzi said. Once back in their homes, the Palestinians would “exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty.” he said.
Terzi unveiled the PLO’s strategy in an appearance before the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People which was established by the General Assembly last fall over the objections of the U.S. and Israel. Israel said it does not recognize the committee and will not be bound by any recommendations it may produce. Of the 20 member nations, only two have diplomatic relations with Israel.
The PLO spokesman said the plan would require two stages–first the return of refugees who left the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the 1967 war to be followed by the return of all Palestinians to what is now Israel. He indicated this could be accompanied by other “political or territorial arrangements” but did not elaborate.
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.
