United Nations Security Council Resolution 54 – The Palestine Question

54 (1948). Resolution of 15 July 1948

The Security Council,

Taking into consideration that the Provisional Government of Israel has indicated its acceptance in principle of a prolongation of the truce in Palestine ; that the States members of the Arab League have rejected successive appeals of the United Nations Mediator, and of the Security Council in its resolution 53 (1948) of 7 July 1948, for the prolongation of the truce in Palestine ; and that there has consequently developed a renewal of hostilities in Palestine,

1. Determines that the situation in Palestine con-stitutes a threat to the peace within the meaning of Article 39 of the Charter of the United Nations ;

2. Orders the Governments and authorities con-cerned, pursuant to Article 40 of the Charter, to desist from further military action and to this end to issue cease-fire orders to their military and paramilitary forces, to take effect at a time to be determined by the Mediator, but in any event not later than three days from the date of the adoption of this resolution ;

3. Declares that failure by any of the Governments or authorities concerned to comply with the preceding paragraph of this resolution would demonstrate the existence of a breach of the peace within the meaning of Article 39 of the Charter requiring immediate con-sideration by the Security Council with a view to such further action under Chapter VII of the Charter as may be decided upon by the Council ;

4. Calls upon all Governments and authorities concerned to continue to co-operate with the Mediator with a view to the maintenance of peace in Palestine in conformity with resolution 50 ( 1948) adopted by the Security Council on 29 May 1948;

5. Orders as a matter of special and urgent necessity an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in the City of Jerusalem to take effect twenty-four hours from the time of the adoption of this resolution, and instructs the Truce Commission to take any necessary steps to make this cease-fire effective ;

6. Instructs the Mediator to continue his efforts to bring about the demilitarization of the City of Jeru-salem, without prejudice to the future political status of Jerusalem, and to assure the protection of and access to the Holy Places, religious buildings and sites in Palestine ;

7. lnstructs the Mediator to supervise the obser-vance of the truce and to establish procedures for examining alleged breaches of the truce since 11 June 1948, authorizes him to deal with breaches so far as it is within his capacity to do so by appropriate local action, and requests him to keep the Security Council currently informed concerning the operation of the truce and when necessary to take appropriate action ;

8. Decides that, subject to further decision by the Security Council or the General Assembly, the truce decision shall remain in force, in accordance with the present resolution and with resolution 50 (1948) of 29 May, until a peaceful adjustment of the future of Palestine is reached;

9. Reiterates the appeal to the parties contained in the last paragraph of its resolution 49 ( 1948) of 22 May 1948 and urges upon the parties that they continue conversations with the Mediator in a spirit of conciliation and mutual concession in order that all points under dispute may be settled peacefully ;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Mediator with the necessary staff and facilities to assist in carrying out the functions assigned to him under General Assembly resolution 186 (S-2) of 14 May 1948 and under this resolution;

11. Requests that the Secretary-General make appropriate arrangements to provide necessary funds to meet the obligations arising from this resolution.

Adopted at the 338th meeting by 7 votes to 1 (Syria), with 3 abstentions (Argen-tina, Ukrainian Soviet So-cialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).