UN Security Council Resolution 49 (May 1948)

Unable to prevent the Arab invasion of Palestine, the Council attempted to stop the war. The efforts of the United States to have the Arab States condemned by the Council for international aggression failed by two votes. Britain was opposed to any international action to halt the fighting. The Council, therefore, passed a Resolution calling on the parties to cease-fire. The Arabs promptly rejected this and three other appeals.

The Security Council,

Taking into consideration that previous resolutions of the Security Council in respect of Palestine have not been complied with and that military operations are taking place in Palestine,

Calls upon all Governments and authorities, without prejudice to the rights, claims or position of the parties concerned, to abstain from any hostile military action in Palestine and to that end to issue a cease-fire order to their military and para-military forces to become effective within thirty-six hours after midnight New York Standard Time, 22 May 1948;

Calls upon the Truce Commission and upon all parties concerned to give the highest priority to the negotiation and maintenance of a truce in the City of Jerusalem;

Directs the Truce Commission established by the Security Council by its resolution of 23 April 1948 to report to the Security Council on the compliance with the two preceding paragraphs of this resolution;

Calls upon all parties concerned to facilitate by all means in their power the task of the United Nations Mediator appointed in execution of the resolution of the General Assembly of 14 May 1948.

Sources: The United Nations

UN Security Council Resolutions: Resolution 49

(May 22, 1948)