al-Nakba: the Palestinian "Catastrophe"

Ironic, how quickly innocent victims can become ruthless victimizers

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UN Resolution 242 established provisions and principles which were intended to generate a solution of the conflict grounded in international law and justice. Resolution 242 was to become the cornerstone of Middle East diplomatic efforts in the coming decades.  It asserts the key principle of "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war." 

Israel has attempted to parse the language and litigously interpret the resolution to defy and delay compliance with the central demand to withdraw from occupied Palestine, but its meaning is plain, clear and corresponds with the central purpose and spirit for which the
United Nations was established.  Obviously, to allow a nation to retain the spoils of war would constitute an unacceptable reward for lawless conduct.

The demand to withdraw to the 1967 borders has been re-affirmed in subsequent UN resolutions.



U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 242
NOVEMBER 22, 1967


The Security Council,

Expressing its continuing concern with the grave situation in the Middle East,

Emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security,

Emphasizing further that all Member States in their acceptance of the Charter of the United Nations have undertaken a commitment to act in accordance with Article 2 of the Charter,

1. Affirms that the fulfillment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:
(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;

(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;

2. Affirms further the necessity
(a) For guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international waterways in the area;

(b) For achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem;

(c) For guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence of every State in the area, through measures including the establishment of demilitarized zones;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to designate a Special Representative to proceed to the Middle East to establish and maintain contacts with the States concerned in order to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance with the provisions and principles in this resolution;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the progress of the efforts of the Special Representative as soon as possible.

Demand Freedom, Justice and Equality in the Holy Land