Summary of Security Council Resolutions Affirming theApplicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention

1. SC Resolution 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967 [Adopted at 1361^st meeting - unanimously]

   Calls upon the Government of Israel to ensure the safety, welfare and security of the inhabitants of the areas where military operations have taken place and to facilitate the return of those inhabitants who have fled the areas since the outbreak of the hostilities; and recommends to the governments concerned the scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles governing the treatment of prisoners of war and the protection of civilian persons in time of war, contained in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949; and requests the Secretary-General to follow the effective implementation of this resolution and to report to the Council.

2. SC Resolution 259 (1968) of 27 September 1968 [Adopted at 1454^th meeting (12-0-3) (3 abstentions were Canada, Denmark, U.S.)]

   Deploring the delay in implementation of resolution 237 (1967) because of the conditions still being set by Israel for receiving a Special Representative of the Secretary-General; requests the Secretary-General to urgently dispatch a Special Representative to the Arab territories under military occupation by Israel following the hostilities of 5 June 1967 and to report on the implementation of resolution 237 (1967). Requests the Government of Israel to receive the Special Representative, to cooperate with him and to facilitate his work.

3. SC Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969 [Adopted at 1512^th meeting (11-0-4) (4 abstentions were Colombia, Finland, Paraguay, U.S.)]

   Grieved at the extensive damage caused by arson to the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on 21 August 1969 under the military occupation of Israel, recognizes that any act of destruction or profanation of the Holy Places, religious buildings and sites in Jerusalem or any encouragement of, or connivance at, any such act may seriously endanger international peace and security; and calls upon Israel to scrupulously observe the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and international law governing military occupation and to refrain from causing any hindrance to the discharge of the established functions of the Supreme Moslem Council of Jerusalem; condemns failure of Israel to comply with aforementioned resolutions.

4. SC Resolution 446 (1979) of 22 March 1979 [Adopted at 2134^th meeting (12-0-3) (3 abstentions were Norway, U.K., U.S.)]

   Determines that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East; calls once more upon Israel, as the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories. Establishes a Commission consisting of three members of the Security Council to examine the situation relating to settlements and requests the Commission to submit a report to the Security Council.

5. SC Resolution 452 (1979) of 20 July 1979 [Adopted at 2159^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

   Considering that the policy of Israel in establishing settlements in the occupied Arab territories has no legal validity and constitutes a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, accepts the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission; calls upon the government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem; and requests the Commission, in view of the magnitude of the problem of settlements, to keep under close survey the implementation of the present resolution and to report back to the Security Council.

6. SC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 [Adopted at 2203^rd meeting - unanimously]

   Accepts the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of the Security Council (on settlements); determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

   Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of Israel in pursuing those policies and practices and calls upon the government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories; and requests the Commission to continue examining the situation relating to settlements, to investigate the reported serious depletion of natural resources, particularly water, with a view to ensuring protection of those important natural resources of the territories under occupation.

7. SC Resolution 468 (1980) of 8 May 1980 [Adopted at 2221^st meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

   Recalling the Geneva Convention of 1949 and expressing deep concern at the expulsion by the Israeli military occupation authorities of the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and of the Sharia Judge of Hebron, calls upon Israel as occupying Power to rescind these illegal measures and to facilitate the immediate return of the expelled Palestinian leaders; and requests the Secretary-General to report upon the implementation of this resolution.

8. SC Resolution 469 (1980) of 20 May 1980 [Adopted at 2223^rd meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

   Recalling the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and in particular article 1, which reads "the High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances", and article 49, which reads "individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive", strongly deplores the failure of Israel to implement resolution 468 (1968); and calls again upon the Government of Israel, as occupying Power, to rescind the illegal measures taken by the Israeli military occupation authorities in expelling the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron.

9. SC Resolution 471 (1980) of 5 June 1980 [Adopted at 2226^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

   Expressing deep concern that the Jewish settlers in the occupied Arab territories are allowed to carry arms thus enabling them to perpetrate crimes against the civilian population, calls for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes and condemns the assassination attempts on the lives of the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh. Expresses deep concern that Israel, as occupying Power, has failed to provide adequate protection to the civilian population in the occupied territories in conformity with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention; calls again upon the Government of Israel to respect and comply with the provisions of the Convention as well as with the resolutions of the Council, calls once again upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories; and reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem.

10. SC Resolution 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980 [Adopted at 2242^nd meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem; strongly deplores the continued refusal of Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly; and reaffirms that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Reiterates that all measures taken by Israel which have altered the geographic, demographic and historical character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council; and reaffirms its determination in the event of non-compliance by Israel to examine practical ways and means in accordance with relevant provisions of the U.N. Charter to secure full implementation of this resolution.

11. SC Resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980 [Adopted at 2245^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the "basic law" on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions; affirms that the enactment of the "basic law" by Israel constitutes a violation of international law and does not affect the continued application of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since June 1967, including Jerusalem; determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular, the recent "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith. Decides not to recognize the "basic law" and such other actions by Israel that, as a result of this law, seek to alter the character and status of Jerusalem; calls upon all members of the U.N. (a) to accept this decision, (b) and upon those States that have established diplomatic Missions in Jerusalem to withdraw such Missions from the Holy City; and requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution before 15 November 1980.

12. SC Resolution 484 (1980) of 19 December 1980 [Adopted 2260^th meeting-unanimously]

    Expressing grave concern at the expulsion by Israel of the Mayor of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhoul; reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the Arab territories occupied by Israel in 1967; calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to adhere to the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention; and declares it imperative that they be enabled to return to their homes and resume their responsibilities.

13. SC Resolution 592 (1986) of 8 December 1986 [Adopted at 2727^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Reaffirms that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, is applicable to the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem; strongly deplores the opening of fire by the Israeli army resulting in the death and the wounding of defenseless students at Bir Zeit University; calls upon Israel to abide immediately and scrupulously by the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949; and further calls upon Israel to release any person or persons detained as a result of the recent events at Bir Zeit University.

14. SC Resolution 605 (1987) of 22 December 1987 [Adopted at 2777^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Taking into account the need to consider measures for the impartial protection of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation, strongly deplores those policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power, which violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, particularly the opening of fire by the Israeli army, resulting in the killing and wounding of defenseless Palestinian civilians; and calls once again upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide immediately and scrupulously by the Fourth Geneva Convention and to desist forthwith from its policies and practices that are in violation of the provisions of the Convention. Requests the Secretary-General to examine the present situation in the occupied territories by all means available to him and to submit a report no later than 20 January 1988 containing his recommendations on ways and means for ensuring the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation.

15. SC Resolution 607 (1988) of 5 January 1988 [Adopted at 2780^th meeting - unanimously]

    Having been apprised of the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to "continue the deportation" of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories, reaffirms once again that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, is applicable to Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem; calls upon Israel to refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilians from the occupied territories; and strongly requests it to abide by its obligations arising from the Fourth Geneva Convention.

16. SC Resolution 608 (1988) of 14 January 1988 [Adopted at 2781^st meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Reaffirming resolution 607 (1988) of 5 January 1988, deeply regrets that Israel, the occupying Power, in defiance of U.N. resolutions, has deported Palestinian civilians; and calls upon Israel to rescind the orders and to desist from forthwith deporting any other Palestinian civilians from the occupied territories.

17. SC Resolution 636 (1989) of 6 July 1989 [Adopted at 2870^th meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Deeply regrets the continuing deportation by Israel, the occupying Power, of Palestinian civilians; calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian civilians; and reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention is applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to the other occupied Arab territories.

18. SC Resolution 641 (1989) of 30 August 1989 [Adopted at 2883^rd meeting (14-0-1) (1 abstention was U.S.)]

    Deplores Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinian civilians; and calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian civilians; and reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention is applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to the other occupied Arab territories.

19. SC Resolution 672 (1990) of 12 October 1990 [Adopted at 2948^th meeting-unanimously]

    Reaffirming that a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict must be based on its resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) through an active negotiating process which takes into account the right to security for all States in the region, including Israel, as well as the legitimate political rights of the Palestinian people; expresses alarm at the violence which took place on 8 October at Al-Haram Al-Sharif and other Holy Places of Jerusalem, resulting in over twenty Palestinian deaths and the injury of more than one hundred and fifty people, including Palestinian civilians and innocent worshippers. Condemns especially the acts of violence committed by the Israeli security forces, resulting in injuries and loss of human life; calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is applicable to all the territories occupied since 1967; and requests, in connection with the decision of the Secretary-General to send a mission to the region, that he submit a report to the Council, before the end of October 1990, containing his findings and conclusions.

20. SC Resolution 673 (1990) of 24 October 1990 [Adopted at 2949^th meeting-unanimously]

    Reaffirming resolution 672 (1990) of 12 October 1990, deplores the refusal of the Israeli Government to receive the mission of the Secretary-General to the region in violation of resolution 672 (1990); urges the government to reconsider its decision and insists that it comply fully with resolution 672 (1990); and requests the Secretary-General to submit the report requested in that resolution.

21. SC Resolution 681 (1990) of 20 December 1990 [Adopted at 2970^th meeting -unanimously]

    Having received the report of the Secretary-General on ways and means of ensuring the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation, and taking into consideration the statement by the President of the Council on 20 December 1990 *; urges the Government of Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and to abide scrupulously by the provisions of the Convention; and calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the said Convention to ensure respect by Israel, the occupying Power, for its obligations under the Convention in accordance with article 1 thereof.

    Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to develop further the idea of convening a meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the said Convention to discuss possible measures that might be taken by them under the Convention; also requests the Secretary-General to monitor and observe the situation regarding Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation and to utilize and designate or draw upon the U.N. and other personnel and resources present there, in the area and elsewhere, needed to accomplish this task; and requests the Secretary-General to submit a first progress report to the Council by the first week of March 1991 and to report every four months thereafter.

22. SC Resolution 694 (1991) of 24 May 1991 [Adopted at 2989^th meeting - unanimously]

    Declares that the action of the Israeli authorities of deporting four Palestinians on 18 May is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is applicable to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem; and deplores this action and reiterates that Israel refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories and ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported.

23. SC Resolution 726 (1992) of 6 January 1992 [Adopted at 3026^th meeting - unanimously]

    Strongly condemns the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume deportation of Palestinian civilians; reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem; and requests Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported.

24. SC Resolution 799 (1992) of 18 December 1992 [Adopted at 3151^st meeting-unanimously]

    Strongly condemns the action taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to deport hundreds of Palestinian civilians (on 17 December 1992); expresses its firm opposition to any such deportations by Israel; reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and affirms that deportation of civilians constitutes a contravention of its obligations under the Convention; and demands that Israel ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported.

25. SC Resolution 904 (1994) of 18 March 1994 [Adopted at 3351^st meeting – unanimously (Draft was voted on in parts, with the U.S. abstaining on two preambular paragraphs. No vote was taken on the text as a whole.)]

Reaffirming its relevant resolutions, which affirmed the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 to the territories occupied by Israel in June 1967, including Jerusalem, and the Israeli responsibilities thereunder, strongly condemns the massacre in Hebron committed against Palestinian worshippers in Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, on 25 February 1994, during the holy month of Ramadan, and its aftermath which took the lives of more than 50 Palestinian civilians and injured several hundred others. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to take and implement measures, including, inter alia, confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers; and calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territory, including, inter alia, a temporary international or foreign presence, which was provided for in the Declaration of Principles, within the context of the ongoing peace process.

Requests the cosponsors of the peace process, the United States of America and the Russian Federation, to continue their efforts to invigorate the peace process, and to undertake the necessary support for the implementation of the above-mentioned measures; and reaffirms its support for the peace process currently underway, and calls for the implementation of the Declaration of Principles, signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993 in Washington, D.C., without delay.

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