asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state, with reference to the recent Arab-Israeli dispute in the Middle East, what resolutions were adopted by the United Nations on the matter; and what action Ireland took in each case.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Middle East Dispute.
2.
Four resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict were adopted by the recent Fifth Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly before its adjournment on 21st July, 1967.
Resolution No. 2253 adopted on 4th July, 1967 and entitled "Measures taken by Israel to change the status of the City of Jerusalem", called upon Israel to rescind all measures already taken and to desist from taking any action which would alter the status of Jerusalem. This resolution was adopted by 99 votes to nil with 20 abstentions, Ireland voting in favour.
Resolution No. 2254 adopted on 16th July, 1967 deplored the failure of Israel to implement Resolution No. 2253, reiterated the appeal contained in that resolution and requested the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council and the General Assembly on the implementation of the resolution. This resolution was adopted by 99 to nil with 18 abstentions, Ireland voting in favour.
Resolution No. 2256 adopted on 21st July, 1967 requested the Secretary-General to transmit records of the Emergency Special Session to the Security Council with a view to facilitating resumption of consideration of the tense situation in the Middle East as a matter of urgency and decided to adjourn the Session while authorising the President of the General Assembly to reconvene the Session as and when necessary. The resolution was adopted by 63 to 26 with 27 abstentions, Ireland voting in favour.
Resolution No. 2252 adopted on 4th July, 1967 called, inter alia, on all Governments to make special contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This resolution was adopted by 116 votes to nil with two abstentions, Ireland voting in favour and being a co-sponsor. In response to this resolution the Government propose to make contributions totalling $50,000 for emergency aid for the refugees, $40,000 of which will be sent to UNRWA and $10,000 to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). These contributions are additional to this year's regular contributions of $25,000 to UNRWA and $15,000 to UNICEF. Apart from that the Irish Red Cross Society has made a contribution of £5,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for refugee relief in the Middle East and in addition the Society has transmitted £120 of voluntary personal contributions to the League of the Red Cross Societies for Jordan refugees.
In addition to the aforementioned resolutions the Security Council, of which Ireland is not a member, adopted 5 resolutions dealing with the crisis in the Middle East which mainly called for an immediate ceasefire, all of which were adopted unanimously.
I have placed copies of all these resolutions in the Library.