|
US Vetoes Cast Against UN Security Council
Resolutions on Palestine
December 01, 2002
By MIFTAH
Since the inception of the United Nations (UN), the Palestine question
has been one of the most persistent topics on the UN agenda. Between 1948
and today, the UN Security Council has adopted 58 resolutions that deal
with the issue of Palestine, including the situation in the Occupied
Territories (OPT) and Jerusalem, and attacks against Palestinian targets.
This number does not include Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, or
Egypt, nor does it include unspecified resolutions regarding the situation
in the Middle East.
While the UN Security Council has shown great interest in the
maintenance of peace and security in Palestine and the Middle East, little
of its work has had any major effect on the situation in the area. The
implementation of the Security Council resolutions have proved to be very
difficult, as Israel, one of the main parties of the conflict, customarily
ignores the resolutions, and continues breaching international regulations
and laws, such as the 1949 Forth Geneva Convention, the UN charter, and UN
Security Council resolutions. For instance, resolution 242 of 1967 and 338
of 1973 are two key resolutions that Israel has refused to comply with,
despite the fact that these two resolutions make the foundation upon which
the Oslo Accords are based. In Resolution 242 (1967), the Security Council
underlines that all Member States are committed to act in accordance with
Article 2 of the UN charter, which affirms that
All Members shall settle their international
disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and
security, and justice, are not endangered.
All Members shall refrain in their international
relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial
integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
The resolution furthermore calls for Israeli withdrawal from the
territories occupied in the 1967 war, and emphasizes the need for "a just
settlement of the refugee problem". A number of resolutions with similar
wording have since then followed, and have likewise been ignored by the
Israeli authorities.
Israel's blatant ignorance of the Security Council resolutions is
likely much due to the unconditional support the country has been given by
the US. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the US has the
privilege of the veto power. By means of its veto power, the US has
managed to protect Israel from numerous resolutions condemning Israeli
actions, policies, and its refusal to comply with UN resolutions and
international law. 21 of the vetoed drafts are directly concerned with the
issue of Palestine or attacks on Palestinian targets, and include sharp
criticism against Israeli human rights violations, calls for the cessation
of collective punishment, home demolitions and deportations, and
denouncement of Israeli establishments of illegal settlements (for more
information, see below). The US use of the veto has furthermore prevented
the establishment of an UN observer force, on-site monitoring of the
situation, and enforcement of earlier resolutions. In addition to the
drafts that have been vetoed, the threat of the US veto has shield Israel
from criticism by forcing the members of the Security Council to settle
with a statement instead of a resolution.
List of US vetoes cast against UN Security Council Resolutions
on Palestine
1. 24 Jul. 1973. S/10974
Vote: 13 in favor, 1 veto (US), 1 abstention.
The resolution strongly deplored Israel's occupation of the Arab
territories since 1967, and expressed serious concern with the Israeli
authorities' lack of cooperation with the UN Special Representative of the
Secretary General.
2. 23 Jan. 1976. S/11940
Vote: 9 in favor, 1 veto (US), 3 abstentions.
The resolution called for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab
territories since 1967, and deplored Israel's refusal to implement
relevant UN resolutions. It furthermore reaffirmed the Palestinian
people's right to self determination and the right of return for
Palestinian refugees.
3. 24 Mar. 1976. S/12022
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
In the draft, the Security Council expressed deep concern over Israeli
measures to change the character of the occupied territories, in
particular Jerusalem, the establishment of Israeli settlements, and human
rights violations, and called for an end of such measures.
4. 29 Jun. 1976. S/12119
Vote: 10 in favor, 1 veto (US), 4 abstentions.
The resolution affirmed the Palestinian people's right to self
determination, the right of return, and the right to national
independence.
5. 30 Apr. 1980. S/13911
Vote: 10 in favor, 1 veto (US), 4 abstentions.
The resolution affirmed the Palestinian right to establish an independent
state, the right of return or compensation for loss of property for
refugees not wishing to return, and Israeli withdrawal from the occupied
Arab territories since 1967.
6. 1 Apr. 1982. S/14943
Vote: 13 in favor, 1 veto (US), 1 abstention.
In the draft, the Security Council denounced Israeli interference with
local governance in the West Bank, and its violations of the rights and
liberties of the population in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The
resolution furthermore called on Israel to end all activities in breach of
the Forth Geneva Convention.
7. 20 Apr. 1982. S/14985
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The draft strongly condemned the shooting of worshipers at Haram Al-Sharif
on 11 April, 1982, and called on Israel to observe and apply the
provisions of the Forth Geneva Convention, and other international laws.
8. 8 Jun. 1982 S/15185
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution draft condemned the Israeli non-compliance with resolutions
508 and 509, urged the parties to comply with the Hague Convention of
1907, and restated the Security Council's demands of Israeli withdrawal
from Lebanon.
9. 25 Jun. 1982 S/15255/Rev. 2
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution demanded the immediate withdrawal of Israeli and
Palestinian forces from areas in and around Beirut, and that the parties
would comply with resolution 508. It furthermore requested that the
Secretary General would station UN military observers to supervise the
ceasefire and disengagement in and around Beirut, and that the Secretary
General would make proposals for the installation of a UN force to take up
positions beside the Lebanese interposition force.
10. 6 Aug. 1982 S/15347/Rev. 1
Vote: 11 in favor, 1 veto, 3 abstentions.
The resolution strongly condemned Israel for not implementing resolutions
516 and 517, called for their immediate implementation, and decided that
all UN member-states would refrain from providing Israel with weapons or
other military aid until Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
11. 1 Aug. 1983. S/15895
Vote: 13 in favor, 1 veto (US), 1 abstention.
The resolution called upon Israel to discontinue the establishment of new
settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, to dismantle
existing settlements, and to adhere to the Geneva Convention relative to
the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. The resolution
furthermore rejected Israeli deportations and transfers of Palestinian
civilians, and condemned attacks against the Arab civilian population. The
Security Council also called upon other states to refrain from giving
Israel any assistance related to the settlements, and stated its intention
to examine ways of securing the implementation of the resolution, in the
event of Israeli non-compliance.
12. 12 Sep. 1985. S/17459
Vote: 10 in favor, 1 veto (US), 4 abstentions.
The resolution draft deplored the repressive measures applied by the
Israeli authorities against the Palestinian population in the occupied
territories, and called upon Israel to immediately cease the use of
repressive measures, including the use of curfews, deportations, and
detentions.
13. 29 Jan. 1986. S/17769
Vote: 13 in favor, 1 veto (US), 1 abstention.
The resolution strongly deplored Israeli refusal to abide earlier Security
Council resolutions, and called upon Israel to comply with these
resolutions, as well as, the norms of international law governing military
occupation such as the Forth Geneva Convention. The Security Council also
expressed deep concern with violations of the sanctity of the Haram Al-Sharif,
and with Israeli measures aimed at altering the character of the occupied
territories, including Jerusalem.
14. 29 Jan. 1988. S/19466
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution called upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of
the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in
Times of War to the territories occupied since 1967, and to conform to the
Convention. The resolution moreover called upon Israel to refrain from
practices violating the human rights of the Palestinian people.
15. 14 Apr. 1988. S/19780
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution expressed grave concerned with the Israeli use of
collective punishment, including house demolitions. It condemned the
policies and practices utilized by the Israeli authorities violating the
human rights of the Palestinian People, especially the killing and
wounding of defenseless Palestinian civilians by the Israeli army. Called
on Israel to abide to the Forth Geneva Convention, and urged it to desist
from deporting Palestinians.
16. 17 Feb. 1989. S/20463
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution strongly deplored Israeli persistence in violating the
human rights of the Palestinian people, in particular the shooting of
Palestinian civilians, including children. It also deplored Israel's
disregard of Security Council decisions, and called upon Israel to act in
accordance with the Forth Geneva Convention and relevant Security Council
resolutions.
17. 9 Jun. 1989. S/20677
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution deplored the violations of the human rights of the
Palestinian people, demanded that Israel would abstain from deporting
Palestinian civilians for the occupied territories, and that it would
ensure the safe return of those already deported. It also called upon
Israel to comply with the Forth Geneva Convention, and requested that the
Secretary General would give recommendations on measures guaranteeing
compliance with the Convention, and the protection of Palestinian
civilians in the occupied territories.
18. 6 Nov. 1989. S/20945/Rev. 1
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution deplored the Israeli violations of the human rights of the
Palestinian people, including the siege of towns, ransacking of homes, and
confiscation of property. It called upon Israel to abide to the Forth
Geneva Convention, to lift the siege, and to return confiscated property
to its owners. The resolution requested that the Secretary General would
conduct on-site monitoring of the situation in the occupied territories.
19. 30 May 1990. S/21326
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The draft resolution established a commission to examine the situation
related to Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories,
including Jerusalem.
20. 17 May 1995. S/1995/394
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution confirmed that the Israeli expropriation of Palestinian
land in East Jerusalem was invalid, and called upon Israel to refrain from
such actions. It also expressed its support for the Middle East peace
process and urged the parties to adhere to the accord agreed upon.
21. 7 Mar. 1997. S/1997/199
Vote: 14 in favor, 1 veto (US).
The resolution expressed deep concern with the Israeli plans to build new
settlements in East Jerusalem, and called upon Israel to desist from
measures, including the building of settlements, that would pre-empt the
final status negotiations. The resolution once again called on Israel to
abide to the provisions of the Geneva Convention.
22. 21 Mar. 1997. S/1997/241
Vote: 13 in favor, 1 veto (US), 1 abstention.
The resolution demanded an end to the Israeli construction of the Jabal
Abu Ghneim settlement in East Jerusalem, and to all other measures related
to settlements in the occupied territories.
23. 26 Mar. 2001. S/2001/270
Vote: 9 in favor, 1 veto (US), 4 abstentions.
The resolution called for a total and immediate stop of all acts of
violence, provocation, and collective punishment, as well as a complete
cessation of Israeli settlement activities, and an end of the closures of
the occupied territories. The resolution furthermore called for the
implementation of the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement, and expressed the
Security Council's willingness to set up mechanisms to protect the
Palestinian civilians, including the establishment of a UN observer force.
24. 14 Dec. 2001. S/2001/1199
Vote: 12 in favor, 1 veto (US) 2 abstentions.
In the resolution, the Security Council condemned all acts of terror,
extrajudiciary executions, excessive use of force and destruction of
properties, and demanded an end of all acts of violence, destruction and
provocation. The resolution called on the parties to resume negotiations,
and to implement the recommendations of the Mitchell Report. It also
encouraged the establishment of a monitoring apparatus for the above
mentioned implementation.
Sources:
1. UN: The United Nations, "Security Council documents",
www.un.org
2. The Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, "Summary
of Security Council Resolutions on Palestine since 1948", "Security
Council Resolutions on Palestine Vetoed by the U.S.",
www.palestine-un.org
3. Middle East Information Center, "US Vetos on the UN Security
Council related to the Middle East",
www.middleeastinfo.org
4. Donald Neff, "The U.S. Cast the First of 29 Security Council Vetoes
to Shield Israel", Washington Report on Middle East Affairs,
www.washington-report.org
5. Donald Neff, "Lessons to be Learned From the 66 U.N. Resolutions
Israel Ignores", Washington Report on Middle East Affairs,
www.washington-report.org
|
