U.N. General Assembly calls for Palestinian self-determination
Regional, Politics, 12/3/1998

The 53rd General Assembly on Wednesday adopted six resolutions on the question of Palestine and two on the situation in Middle East, calling for self-determination for the Palestinian people and demanding that Israel withdraws from Syria's Golan Heights captured in 1967.

The resolutions over the two issues which are the topic of annual debates at the General Assembly, were again endorsed by an overwhelming majority.

The United States joined Israel by casting the only negative votes against five of the resolutions, while abstaining on the one about Jerusalem.

A resolution on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine was adopted by a vote of 154 to two, with three abstentions.

The resolution calls for "fulfilling the rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination," and "the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967."

The resolution also "stresses the need for commitment to the principle of land for peace and the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which form the basis of the Middle East peace process, and the need for the immediate and scrupulous implementation of the agreements reached between the parties."

The resolution urged U.N. members to expedite economic and technical assistance to the Palestinian people and emphasized the importance for the United Nations' having a more active and expanded role in the peace process.

Another resolution adopted by 149 votes, one against with seven abstentions, considers as illegal, null and void a 1948 decision by Israel to impose its laws and jurisdiction on all parts of al Quds (Jerusalem), including the eastern part captured in 1967. Israel voted against the resolution.

The resolution deplored the transfer by some countries of their diplomatic missions to Jerusalem, which Israel regards as its undivided capital.

Another resolution, adopted by 97 votes to two with 58 abstentions, called upon Israel to resume peace talks on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks and to respect undertakings reached in previous rounds.

Previous Stories:
  Jimmy Carter backs establishment of Palestinian state   (11/25/1998)
  Israel, US upset over UN report on Israeli human rights violations in occupied Arab territories   (11/20/1998)
  Netanyahu aide: No permanent deal with Palestine, withdrawal from Syria's Golan possible   (8/21/1998)

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