A UN Resolution
On 7 March 1997, a Draft Resolution regarding the Israeli government's action in Jerusalem - presented by France, the UK, Sweden and Portugal - was vetoed in the UN Security Council by the US, while the other 14 members voted in favour. Following the US veto, the Arab Group at the UN called for an urgent session of the General Assembly, that convened on March 12 and voted the next day with 130 votes in favour, two abstentions and two voting against (US and Israel) to adopt the draft as UNGA Resolution
The General Assembly,
Having considered the letters dated 21, 25 February 1997 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine on behalf of the States members of the League of Arab States (A/51/805-S/1997/149, A/51/808-S/1997/157 and S/1997/165),
Expressing deep concern at the decision of the Government of Israel to initiate new settlement activities in the Jebel Abu Ghneim area in East Jerusalem,
Expressing concern about other recent measures that encourage or facilitate new settlement activities,
Stressing that such settlements are illegal and a major obstacle to peace,
Recalling its resolutions on Jerusalem and other relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions,
Confirming that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel which purport to alter the status of Jerusalem, including expropriation of land and properties thereon, are invalid and cannot change that status,
Reaffirming its support for the Middle East Peace Process, including the recent Agreement on Hebron,
Concerned about the difficulties facing the Middle East Peace Process, including the impact these have on the living conditions of the Palestinian people, and urging the parties to fulfill their obligations, including under the agreements already reached,
Having discussed the situation at its 91st and 92nd plenary meetings on 12 March 1997,
- Calls upon the Israeli authorities to refrain from all actions or measures, including settlement activities, which alter the facts on the ground, preempting the final status negotiations, and have negative implications for the Middle East Peace Process.
- Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, which is applicable to all the territories occupied by Israel since 1967;
- Calls upon all parties to continue, in the interests of peace and security, their negotiations within the Middle East Peace Process on its agreed basis and the timely implementation of the agreements reached;
- Requests the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Government of Israel the provisions of this resolution.
US Letter of Assurances to the Palestinians on the terms of the Madrid Peace Conference, 24 October 1991, excerpts.
[...]The US believes that no party should take unilateral actions that seek to predetermine issues that can only be reached through negotiations. In this regard the US has opposed and will continue to oppose settlement activity in territories occupied in 1967 which remain an obstacle to peace.
