Highlights

  • As of the date of print of this issue, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators failed to conclude their negotiations on Al-Khalil (Hebron). In an attempt to conceal the real conceptual differences between the two sides, Israel has repeated the ludicrous assertion that the Palestinian side has been delaying the conclusion of negotiations for tactical reasons. During the negotiations on Hebron, the Palestinian side has insisted that the existing agreement on Hebron be honored and implemented. The Israeli side, in turn, has tried to open the agreement, make adjustments and reach a new one altogether. The Palestinian side has also sought to ensure that redeployment from Hebron will mark the beginning of Israeli implementation of the overdue provisions of the agreements reached.
  • On October 15, 1996, King Hussein of Jordan became the first Arab leader to visit the area under Palestinian authority. Accompanied by President Arafat, he traveled from Amman aboard his helicopter to an official welcoming ceremony in Jericho. The two leaders repeatedly exchanged warm statements. King Hussein reaffirmed Jordanian support for the brotherly Palestinian people until the achievement of their independent state and goals. The two leaders also affirmed the absolute necessity for full implementation of the agreements reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. 
  • The Special Coordinator of United Nations Activities in the Occupied Territories, Mr. Terje Larsen of Norway, has resigned his post to join the cabinet of the new Norwegian Prime Minister as the Minister of Economic Planning. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has not yet appointed the successor of Mr. Larsen. Pending an appointment, during the short coming period, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Mr. Peter Hansen, will coordinate the activities of the U.N. The Palestinian side has stressed the importance for the quick appointment of a new Special Coordinator.
  • The Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) adopted the report of the Committee, which will later be submitted by the Committee to the General Assembly. The report explains the activities of the Committee during the last year as well as the activities of the Division for Palestinian Rights. It criticizes the lack of full implementation of the information program on Palestine. The report also presents the Committee's political recommendations to the General Assembly. Among the recommendations, the Committee noted that next year will coincide with the 30th anniversary of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem. The report also welcomes the request of the Government of South Africa to join the Committee as an observer.
  • In meetings organized by the CEIRPP, the 29th of November, which is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, will be solemnly commemorated at United Nations headquarters and other U.N. locations. Commemorative events will be held in other places around the world as well to mark this important date. On the same occasion, and in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, the Committee is organizing an exhibit of Palestinian handcrafts, which will be on display at the United Nations visitors lobby from 29 November to 6 December 1996.