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United Nations General Assembly Resolution 303 (IV)

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United Nations General Assembly Resolution 303, adopted on 9 December 1949 by a vote of 38 to 14 (with 7 abstentions), restated the United Nations' support for a Corpus separatum in Jerusalem. Notably the voting pattern was significantly different from that of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine vote two years earlier, with many states swapping sides. In particular, all the Arab and Muslim countries voted for the corpus separatum, having voted against the 1947 plan; conversely the United States and Israel voted against the corpus separatum, having previously supported it.

UN General Assembly
Resolution 303(IV)
The resolution attached a copy of the map from the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine
Date9 December 1949
Meeting no.PV 275
CodeA/RES/303(IV) (Document)
SubjectPalestine: question of an international regime for the Jerusalem area and the protection of the Holy Places
Voting summary
  • 38 voted for
  • 14 voted against
  • 7 abstained
ResultAdopted
Permanent members
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The outcome of the vote was "even more decisive than the vote for the Partition Plan itself".[1]

Background

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Main article: List of United Nations resolutions concerning Israel

In July 1920, at the San Remo conference, a Class "A" League of Nations mandates over Palestine was allocated to the British. On 29 November 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending "to the United Kingdom, as the mandatory Power for Palestine, and to all other Members of the United Nations the adoption and implementation, with regard to the future government of Palestine, of the Plan of Partition with Economic Union" as Resolution 181 (II).[2] The plan contained a proposal to terminate the British Mandate for Palestine and partition Palestine into "independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem." On 14 May 1948, the day on which the British Mandate over Palestine expired, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum, and approved a proclamation which declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel.[3]

On 11 May 1949, Israel was admitted to membership in the United Nations.[4]

Early in December 1949, Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital, despite controlling only West Jerusalem, with East Jerusalem (including the Old City) being controlled by Transjordan.

The resolution

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The full text of the Resolution:

Having regard to its resolutions 181 (11) of 29 November 1947 and 194 (111) of 11 December 1948,

Having studied the reports of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine set up under the latter resolution,

I. Decides

In relation to Jerusalem,

Believing that the principles underlying its previous resolutions concerning this matter, and in particular its resolution of 29 November 1947, represent a just and equitable settlement of the question,

1. To restate, therefore, its intention that Jerusalem should be placed under a permanent international regime, which should envisage appropriate guarantees for the protection of the Holy Places, both within and outside Jerusalem and to confirm specifically the following provisions of General Assembly resolution 181 (II): (1) The City of Jerusalem shall be established as a corpus separatum under a special international regime and shall be administered by the United Nations; (2) The Trusteeship Council shall be designated to discharge the responsibilities of the Administering Authority . . . ; and (3) The City of Jerusalem shall include the present municipality of Jerusalem plus the surrounding villages and towns, the most eastern of which shall be Abu Dis; the most southern, Bethlehem; the most western, Ein Karim (including also the built-up area of Motsa); and the most northern., Shu'fat, as indicated on the attached sketch-map (annex B)(2) ;
2. To request for this purpose that the Trusteeship Council at its next session, whether special or regular, complete the preparation of the Statute of Jerusalem (T/118/Rev. 2), omitting the now inapplicable provisions, such as articles 32 and 39, and, without prejudice to the fundamental principles of the international regime for Jerusalem set forth in General Assembly resolution 181 (II) introducing therein amendments in the direction of its greater democratization, approve the Statute, and proceed immediately with its implementation. The Trusteeship Council shall not allow any actions taken by any interested Government or Governments to divert it from adopting and implementing the Statute of Jerusalem;

II. Calls upon the States concerned, to make formal undertakings, at an early date and in the light of their obligations as Members of the United Nations, that they will approach these matters with good will, and be guided by the terms of the present resolution.

Notes:

(1) UN Doc. A11245, December 10, 1949. Back

(2) Map is omitted. Back

Response

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Israel

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See also: Israel and the United Nations

Voting record for Resolution 303(IV)

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Voting in parts Whole resolution
In relation to Jerusalem, Believing that the principles underlying its previous resolutions concerning this matter, and in particular its resolution of 29 November 1947, represent a just and equitable settlement of the question, 1. To restate, therefore, its intention that Jerusalem should be placed under a permanent international regime, which should envisage appropriate guarantees for the protection of the Holy Places, both within and outside Jerusalem and to confirm specifically the following provisions of General Assembly resolution 181 (1) The City of Jerusalem shall be established as a corpus separatum under a special international regime and shall be administered by the United Nations; (2) The Trusteeship Council shall be designated to discharge the responsibilities of the Administering Authority (3) The City of Jerusalem shall include the present municipality of Jerusalem plus the surrounding villages and towns, the most eastern of which shall be Abu Dis; the most southern, Bethlehem ; the most western, Ein Karim (including also the built-up area of Motsa); and the most northern., Shu'fat, as indicated on the attached sketch-map (annex B)(2) ; 2. To request for this purpose that the Trusteeship Council at its next session, whether special or regular, complete the preparation of the Statute of Jerusalem (T/118/Rev. 2), omitting the now inapplicable provisions, such as articles 32 and 39, and, without prejudice to the fundamental principles of the international regime for Jerusalem set forth in General Assembly resolution 181 (II) introducing therein amendments in the direction of its greater democratization, approve the Statute and proceed immediately with its implementation. The Trusteeship Council shall not allow any actions taken by any interested Government or Governments to divert it from adopting and implementing the Statute of Jerusalem; II. Calls upon the States concerned, to make formal undertakings, at an early date and in the light of their obligations as Members of the United Nations, that they will approach these matters with good will, and be guided by the terms of the present resolution.
  Afghanistan In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Argentina In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Australia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Belgium In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Bolivia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Brazil In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Burma Burma In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Byelorussian SSR In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Canada Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Chile Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  China In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Colombia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Costa Rica Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Cuba In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Czechoslovakia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Denmark Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Dominican Republic In favour In favour Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  Ecuador In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Egypt Egypt In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  El Salvador In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Ethiopia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  France In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Greece Greece In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Guatemala Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Haiti In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Honduras Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  Iceland Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  India In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Iran In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Iraq In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Israel Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Lebanon In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Liberia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Luxembourg In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Mexico In favour In favour In favour Abstaining Abstaining In favour Abstaining In favour In favour
  Netherlands Abstaining Abstaining Against Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Against Abstaining
  New Zealand Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  Nicaragua In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Norway Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Pakistan In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Panama Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  Paraguay In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Peru In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Philippines In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Poland Poland In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Saudi Arabia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Sweden Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Syrian In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Thailand Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining Abstaining
  Turkey Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Ukrainian SSR In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  South Africa Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  United Kingdom Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  United States Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Uruguay Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
  Soviet Union In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Venezuela In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Yemen In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour
  Yugoslavia Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against Against
In favour 39 39 38 37 37 38 37 38 38
Against 14 14 15 14 14 14 14 15 14
Abstaining 6 6 6 8 8 7 8 6 7

Comparison versus 1947 Partition Plan

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For Against Abstained Absent
UNGA 181 UNGA 303(IV) UNGA 181 UNGA 303(IV) UNGA 181 UNGA 303(IV) UNGA 181
Latin American and Caribbean *  Bolivia *  Argentina *  Cuba *  Costa Rica *  Argentina *  Chile
*  Brazil *  Bolivia *  Guatemala **  Chile *  Honduras
*  Costa Rica *  Brazil *  Uruguay *  Colombia *  Dominican Republic
*  Dominican Republic *  Colombia *  El Salvador *  Panama
*  Ecuador *  Cuba *  Honduras
*  Guatemala *  Ecuador *  Mexico
*  Haiti *  El Salvador
*  Nicaragua *  Haiti
*  Panama *  Mexico
*  Paraguay *  Nicaragua
*  Peru *  Paraguay
*  Uruguay *  Peru
*  Venezuela *  Venezuela
Western European and Others *  Belgium *  Belgium *  Greece Greece *  Turkey *  United Kingdom *  Netherlands
*  Denmark *  France *  Turkey *  Denmark
*  France *  Greece Greece *  Iceland
*  Iceland *  Luxembourg *  Norway
*  Luxembourg *  Sweden
*  Netherlands *  United Kingdom
*  Norway *  Israel (new)
*  Sweden
Eastern European *  Byelorussian SSR *  Byelorussian SSR *  Yugoslavia *  Yugoslavia
*  Czechoslovakia *  Czechoslovakia
*  Poland Poland *  Poland Poland
*  Ukrainian SSR *  Ukrainian SSR
*  Soviet Union *  Soviet Union
African *  Liberia *  Liberia *  Egypt *  South Africa *  Ethiopia
*  South Africa *  Egypt Egypt
*  Ethiopia
Asia-Pacific *  Australia *  Afghanistan *  Afghanistan *  China *  Thailand *  Thailand
*  New Zealand *  India *  India *  New Zealand
*  Philippines *  Iran *  Iran
*  Iraq *  Iraq
*  Lebanon *  Lebanon
*  Pakistan *  Pakistan
*  Saudi Arabia *  Saudi Arabia
*  Syrian *  Syrian
*  Yemen *  Yemen
*  Australia
*  China
*  Philippines
*  Burma Burma (new)
North America *  Canada *  Canada
*  United States *  United States

Further reading

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  • Ball, M. Margaret. "Bloc Voting in the General Assembly." International Organization, vol. 5, no. 1, 1951, pp. 3–31. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2703786. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • Ferrari, Silvio. "The Holy See and the Postwar Palestine Issue: The Internationalization of Jerusalem and the Protection of the Holy Places." International Affairs, vol. 60, no. 2, 1984, pp. 261–283. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2619049. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • "Documents and Source Material: Documents Concerning the Status of Jerusalem." Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 1971, pp. 171–194. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2536012. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • Glick, Edward B. "The Vatican, Latin America, and Jerusalem." International Organization, vol. 11, no. 2, 1957, pp. 213–219. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2704819. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • Rosenne, Shabtai. "Israel and the United Nations: Changed Perspectives, 1945–1976." The American Jewish Year Book, vol. 78, 1978, pp. 3–59. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23604292. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • Letter dated 8 November 1954 to the Secretary-General of the United Nations: Arab States regret USA & UK decision to present credence in Jerusalem (corpus separatum)

Bibliography

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  • Hahn, Peter L. "Alignment by Coincidence: Israel, the United States, and the Partition of Jerusalem, 1949–1953." The International History Review, vol. 21, no. 3, 1999, pp. 665–689. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40109080. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.
  • Abraham Bell and Eugene Kontorovich, PALESTINE, UTI POSSIDETIS JURIS, AND THE BORDERS OF ISRAEL

References

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  1. ^ Brecher, Michael (1978). "Jerusalem: Israel's Political Decisions, 1947-1977". Middle East Journal. 32 (1): 13–34. ISSN 0026-3141. Retrieved 16 February 2020 – via JSTOR.
  2. ^ "Declaration of Establishment of State of Israel". United Nations. 29 November 1947. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Declaration of Establishment of State of Israel". GxMSDev. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Admission of Israel to UN". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
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