THE SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES21

Decisions

Decisions

At its 3026th meeting, on 6 January 1992, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Egypt, Israel, and the Syrian Arab Republic to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "'fbe situation in the occupied Arab territories".
At the same meeting, in response to the request of the same date from the observer of Palestine to the United Nations,22 the Council decided, by a vote, that an invitation should be extended to the observer of Palestine to participate in the discussion and that that invitation would confer upon it the same rights of participation as those conferred on a Member State when it was invited to participate under rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure.
Adopted by I 0 votes to 1 (United States of America), with 4 abstentions (Belgium, France, Hungary, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Resolution 726 (1992)
or 6 January 1992
The Security Council,
Recalling the obligations of Memher States under the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling its resolutions 607 (1988) of 5 January 1988,608 (1988) of 14 January 1988, 636 (1989) of 6 July 1989, 641 (1989) of30 August 1989 and 694 (1991) of24 May 1991,
Having been apprised of the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to deport twelve Palestinian civilians from the occupied Palestinian territories,
1. Strongly condemns the decision oflsrael, the occupying Power, to resume deportations of Palestinian civilians;
2. Reaffinns the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,23 to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem;
3. Requests Israel, the occupying Power, to refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories;
4. Also requests Israel, the occupying Power, to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported;
5. Decides to keep the matter under review.
Adopted unanimously at the 3026th meeting.

At its 3065th meeting, on 4 April 1992, in response to the request dated 3 April1992 from the observer ofPalestine,24 the Council decided, by a vote, that an invitation should be extended to the observer of Palestine to participate in the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the occupied Arab territories" and that that invitation would confer upon it the same rights of participation as those conferred on a Member State when it was invited to participate under rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure.
Adopted by 10 votes to 1 (Uniled Sllltes of America), with 4 arutentiom (Belgium, France, Hungary, the Unil«l Kingdom ofGreat Britain and NonJum Ireland).
At the same meeting, following consultations held earlier among members of the Council, the President made the following statement on behalf of the members ofthe Council:25
'The members of the Council are gravely concerned by the continued deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, especially by the current serious situation in Rafah in which several Palestinians have been killed and many more injured.
"The members of the Council condemn all these acts of violence at Rafah. They urge maximum restraint in order to bring the violence to an end.
"The members of the Council urge Israel to abide at all times by its obligations under the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,23 and to respect and to act in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The members of the Council are concerned that any escalation of violence would have serious implications for the peace process, especially at a time when negotiations to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace are under way.
"The members of the Council request the SecretaryGeneral to use his good offices, in accordance with resolution 681 (1990) of20 December 1990, regarding this situation concerning Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation."
At its 3151st meeting, on 18 December 1992, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the occupied Arab territories: letter dated 18 December 1992 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/24980)"Y

5