Resolution 57/126
(December 11, 2002)
The General Assembly,
Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
and affirming the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by
force,
Recalling its relevant resolutions, including those adopted
at its tenth emergency special session, as well as relevant Security
Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November
1967, 446 (1979) of 22 March 1979, 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 and 497
(1981) of 17 December 1981,
Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative
to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,1 to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and
to the occupied Syrian Golan,
Recalling the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements of 13 September 19932 and the subsequent implementation
agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli sides,
Aware that Israeli settlement activities have involved, inter
alia, the transfer of nationals of the occupying Power into the occupied
territories, the confiscation of land, the exploitation of natural resources
and other illegal actions against the Palestinian civilian population,
Bearing in mind the detrimental impact of Israeli settlement
policies, decisions and activities on efforts to achieve peace in the
Middle East,
Expressing grave concern about the continuation by Israel of
settlement activities in violation of international humanitarian law,
relevant United Nations resolutions and the agreements reached between
the parties, including the ongoing construction of the settlements in
Jabal Abu-Ghneim and Ras Al-Amud in and around Occupied East Jerusalem,
Gravely concerned about the dangerous situation resulting from
actions taken by the illegal armed Israeli settlers in the occupied
territory, as illustrated in the recent period and earlier by the massacre
of Palestinian worshippers by an illegal Israeli settler in Al-Khalil
on 25 February 1994, and during the past year,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,3
1. Reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory,
including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal
and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development;
2. Calls upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of
the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,1 to the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to the occupied Syrian Golan
and to abide scrupulously by the provisions of the Convention, in particular
article 49;
3. Reiterates its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli
settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, including the construction
of the settlement in Jabal Abu-Ghneim;
4. Stresses the need for full implementation of Security Council
resolution 904 (1994) of 18 March 1994, in which, among other things,
the Council called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to
take and implement measures, including confiscation of arms, with the
aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and
called for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection
of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory;
5. Reiterates its calls for the prevention of all acts of violence
by Israeli settlers, particularly in the light of recent developments;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-eighth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
73rd plenary meeting
11 December 2002
1United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
2A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
3A/57/316.
Sources: The United Nations |