{"id":183588,"date":"1948-04-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T21:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=183588"},"modified":"2019-03-11T21:34:42","modified_gmt":"2019-03-11T21:34:42","slug":"auto-insert-183588","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-183588\/","title":{"rendered":"Palestine question\/Future government – GA First Cttee report"},"content":{"rendered":"
DOCUMENT A\/552<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Further consideration of the question of the future government of Palestine:<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Report of the First Committee to the General Assembly<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n Rapporteur: <\/i>Mr. Finn MOE (Norway)<\/p><\/div>\n [Original text: English]<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The special session of the General Assembly, at its 131st meeting held on 19 April 1948, referred to the First Committee for consideration and report, the item: Further consideration of the future government of Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The First Committee at its 117th meeting, elected Mr. Tsiang (China) as Chairman. Mr. Katz-Suchy, representative of Poland, and Mr. Moe, representative of Norway, were elected Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur, respectively, at the 118th meeting.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The First Committee invited the Chairman of the United Nations Palestine Commission and the representatives of the Arab Higher Committee and of the Jewish Agency to participate in its discussions and to render such assistance as the Committee might require.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 4. At the opening of the general debate on the question, the representative of the United States introduced, at the 118th meeting, a draft trusteeship agreement for Palestine which was circulated as a working paper (A\/C.1\/277). The delegation of Australia submitted a proposal (A\/C.1\/279) for specific means of implementing the General Assembly's resolution of 29 November 1947 [181 (II)]. This resolution was not voted on.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 5. In the course of the general debate on this question, the representative of France submitted, at the 121st meeting, a draft resolution (A\/C.1\/280) stating that the maintenance of order and security in Jerusalem was an urgent question and that the Trusteeship Council should be asked to study and, in consultation with the Mandatory Power and the interested parties, take suitable measures for the protection of the city and its inhabitants. Amendments to it were submitted by the delegations of Sweden (A\/C.1\/281), Australia (A\/C.1\/282), Czechoslovakia (A\/C.1\/283). The French resolution as amended was adopted by the First Committee at the 124th meeting, held on 26 April 1948 and was submitted to the General Assembly in the form of a Special Report (A\/542). The Trusteeship Council studied the question and reported to the General Assembly on 6 May 1948 (A\/544).<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 6. At the end of the general debate, the Committee decided at the 128th meeting, by a vote of 38 in favour, 7 against and 7 abstentions, to start a detailed discussion of the draft trusteeship agreement as circulated by the United States. The discussion of the working paper concentrated upon the list of selected topics, as prepared by the Chairman of the Committee, during which main points were examined and clarification was sought by various delegations.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 7. Before and during the debate on the working paper, various draft resolutions concerning the procedure and the plan of work for the Committee were introduced. A draft resolution was submitted by the United States (A\/C.1\/278) proposing the reference of the United States working paper containing the draft trusteeship agreement to the Fourth Committee for study and report, with recommendations thereon to the General Assembly. This draft resolution was not voted on.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 8. A draft resolution submitted by the delegation of Guatemala (A\/C.1\/284) proposed the appointment of a sub-committee which, after hearing the United Nations Palestine Commission, the Mandatory Power, the Arab Higher Committee, the Jewish Agency and the various experts, would report to the First Committee its findings with respect to the questions whether trusteeship was desired by and would be acceptable to the population of Palestine, and whether it was possible to implement trusteeship and make it workable. amendments to the draft resolution of Guatemala were proposed by the delegation of the United States (A\/C.1\/285) and accepted by the representative of Guatemala. Further amendments w ere submitted by the delegations of Peru (A\/C.1\/286), France (A\/C.1\/287), Argentina (A\/C.1\/288) and Cuba (A\/C.1\/290). The delegation of Guatemala submitted an amendment (A\/C.1\/291) to the Cuban amendment.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 9. The resolution as amended, appointing a sub-committee, was adopted at the 137th meeting held on 4 May 1948 by 33 votes in favour, 7 against and 13 abstentions (A\/C.1\/292). The proposal instructed the Sub-Committee to study the situation in Palestine in the light of the preceding discussions, taking into account all suggestions made in the course of the Committee's debate, and to formulate and report to the Committee a proposal for a provisional regime in Palestine. It was also instructed to take into account whether such a proposal would recommend itself to the palsies, whether it would be possible to implement it and make it workable, and the approximate cost of the proposal. The Sub-Committee was authorized to consult the representatives of the United Nations Palestine Commission, the Mandatory Power, the Arab Higher Committee, the Jewish Agency and other experts on Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 10. The 138th meeting of the First Committee was convened on 11 May 1948 to deal with the question of "further measures for the protection of the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants", which, together with a French proposal (A\/546), was referred by the General Assembly to the Committee, under a resolution adopted at the 134th plenary meeting held on 6 May (A\/C.1\/293).<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 11. After a discussion in the Committee, a draft resolution for the establishment of a subcommittee was proposed by the representative of the United States (A\/C.1\/294). The proposal as amended by the representatives of France and Guatemala (A\/C.1\/295 and A\/C.1\/296) was voted paragraph by paragraph and was adopted. The Sub-Committee was instructed to examine further measures for the protection of the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, and after consultation with the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency for Palestine, to bring before the Committee, as promptly as possible, the appropriate recommendations. The resolution, as adopted, was circulated in document A\/C.1\/297.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 12. Sub-Committee 9 and Sub-Committee 10 reported back to the Committee on 13 May (A\/C.1\/298 and A\/C.1\/299). The general debate on the report of Sub-Committee 10 was opened at the 139th meeting and of Sub-Committee 9 at the 140th meeting.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 13. In the course of the discussion of the two reports, a number of amendments were introduced. The delegations of Mexico (A\/C.1\/302) and the United States (A\/C.1\/304) submitted amendments to the resolution contained in the report of Sub-Committee 10. The delegations of Greece (A\/C.1\/300 ), of New Zealand (A\/C.1\/301), of Poland (A\/C.1\/SC.9\/2) and of France (A\/C.1\/303), submitted amendments to the resolution contained in the report of Sub-Committee 9.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 14. The resolution contained in the report of Sub-Committee 9 was voted upon paragraph by paragraph. The amendments which were submitted to various paragraphs were voted on before the vote was taken on the respective paragraphs. The result of the voting was as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (a) The preamble was adopted by 36 votes in favour, none against and 13 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (b) The Polish amendment to paragraph I (A\/C.1\/SC.9\/2) was rejected by 28 votes against, 7 in favour and 14 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (c) Paragraph I was adopted by 39 votes in favour, none against and 13 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (d) The Polish amendment to paragraph II, 1 up to the word "functions" was rejected by 28 votes against, 1 in favour and 22 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (e) Paragraph II, 1 was adopted by 37 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (f) The Polish amendment to paragraph II, 1 (a), was rejected by 25 votes against, 1 in favour and 22 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (g) Paragraph II, 1 (a) was adopted by 35 votes in favour, none against and 16 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (h) Paragraph II, I (a), (i), <\/i>was adopted by 34 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (i) Paragraph II, 1 (a), (ii), <\/i>was adopted by 36 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (j) The French amendment to paragraph II, I (a), (iii), <\/i>was adopted by 13 votes in favour, 7 against and 25 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (k) Paragraph II, 1 (b), was adopted by 3G votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (l) The Polish amendment to paragraph II, I (c), was rejected by 30 votes against, 2 in favour and 17 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (m) Paragraph II, 1 (e), was adopted by 35 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (n) Paragraph II, 2, was adopted by 35 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (o) The first New Zealand amendment (A\/C.1\/301) to paragraph II, 3, was adopted by 2G votes in favour, 6 against and 16 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (p) Paragraph II, 3, as amended was adopted by 34 votes in favour, none against and 16 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (q) Paragraph II, 4, was adopted by 33 votes in favour, 2 against and 14 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (r) The Greek amendment (A\/C.1\/300) to paragraph III was adopted by 24 votes in favour, 15 against and 11 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (s) The New Zealand amendment (A\/C.1\/301) to paragraph III was rejected by 26 votes against, 14 in favour and 11 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (t) Paragraph III as amended by the Greek amendment was adopted by 32 votes in favour, 8 against and 12 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (u) The resolution as a whole was adopted by 35 votes in favour, 6 against and 10 abstentions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 15. Discussion also took place on the question of the financial implications of the draft resolution recommended by Sub-Committee 9 and of the application of rule 142 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. In response to the request of the Chairman, the Secretary-General informed the Committee that, although it was not possible at this stage to give an exact figure, he estimated that the resolution would involve the expenditure by the United Nations of some $100,000. He also pointed out that the second regular session of the General Assembly had authorized him to enter into commitments to meet unforeseen and extraordinary expenses not exceeding a total of $2,000,000 on his certification that the expenses related to the maintenance of international peace and security. It was accordingly unnecessary to refer the resolution to the Fifth Committee for its report.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 16. The First Committee therefore recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"The General Assembly,<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"Taking account <\/i>of the present situation in regard to Palestine,<\/p><\/div>\n I<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"Strongly affirms <\/i>its support of the efforts of the Security Council to secure a truce in Palestine and calls upon all Governments, organizations and persons to co-operate in making effective such a truce;<\/p><\/div>\n II<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"1. Empowers a United Nations Mediator in Palestine, to be chosen by a committee of the General Assembly composed of representatives of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and the United States, to exercise the following functions:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"(a) To use his good offices with the local and community authorities in Palestine to:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"<\/i>(b) To co-operate with the Truce Commission for Palestine appointed by the Security Council in its resolution of 23 April 1948;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"<\/i>(c) To invite, as seems to him advisable, with a view to the promotion of the welfare of the inhabitants of Palestine, the assistance and co-operation of appropriate specialized agencies of the United Nations such as the World Health Organization, of the International Cross, and of other governmental or non-governmental organizations of a humanitarian and nonpolitical character;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"<\/i>2. Instructs <\/i>the United Nations Mediator to render progress reports monthly, or more frequently as he deems necessary, to the Security Council and to the Secretary-General for transmission to the Members of the United Nations;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span><\/i>"3. Directs <\/i>the United Nations Mediator to conform in his activities with the provisions of this resolution, and with such instructions as the General Assembly or the Security Council may issue;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"<\/i>4. Authorizes <\/i>the Secretary-General to pay the United Nations Mediator an emolument equal to that paid to the President of the International Court of Justice, and to provide the Mediator with the necessary staff to assist in carrying out the functions assigned to the Mediator by the General Assembly;<\/p><\/div>\n III<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>"Relieves <\/i>the Palestine Commission from the further exercise of responsibilities under resolution 181 (II) of 29 <\/i>November 1947."<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t<\/span>17. The First Committee decided at the 141st meeting held on 14 May 194~3 to refer to the General Assembly the report of Sub-Committee 10 (A\/C.1\/298) with the amendments submitted to it, without making any recommendations.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n DOCUMENT A\/C.1 \/277<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Draft trusteeship agreement for Palestine: Working paper circulated by the United States delegation<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n [Original text: English]<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Preamble<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Whereas <\/i>the territory known as Palestine has been administered by the United Kingdom under a Mandate confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations; and<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Whereas <\/i>the United Kingdom was selected as Mandatory for Palestine by agreement of the principal allied and associated Powers; and<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Whereas <\/i>Article 75 of the Charter of the United Nations provides for the establishment of an International Trusteeship System for the administration and supervision of such territories as may be placed thereunder by subsequent individual agreements; and<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Whereas <\/i>under Article 77 of the said Charter the International Trusteeship System may be applied to territories now held under mandate; and<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Whereas <\/i>in accordance with Articles 75 and 77 of the said Charter, the placing of a territory under the International Trusteeship System is to be effected by means of a Trusteeship Agreement.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Now therefore, <\/i>without prejudice to the rights, claims, or position of the parties concerned or to the character of the eventual political settlement, the General Assembly of the United Nations hereby resolves to approve the following terms of trusteeship for Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 1<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUSTEESHIP<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The territory of Palestine, delimited on the east by Transjordan, on the north by the Republics of Syria and Lebanon, on the Vest by the Mediterranean and on the south by the Sinai Province of Egypt is hereby placed under the Trusteeship System established in the Charter of the United Nations.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 2<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n THE ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The United Nations, acting through the Trusteeship Council, is hereby designated as the Administering Authority for Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 3<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n POWERS OF THE ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Administering Authority shall have full powers of administration, legislation, and jurisdiction over Palestine which shall be exercised through the agency of the Government of Palestine as hereinafter provided.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 4<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n GENERAL OBJECTIVES<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Administering Authority undertakes to administer Palestine in such a manner as to achieve the basic objectives of the International Trusteeship System laid down in Article 76 of the Charter of the United Nations.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The administration will be conducted in such a manner as to encourage the maximum cooperation between the Jews and Arabs in Palestine leading to a form of self-government which will be acceptable to both communities.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 5<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The territorial integrity of Palestine and its status as defined in this Agreement shall be assured by the United Nations.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The Governor-General shall inform the Trusteeship Council of any situation relating to Palestine the continuance of which is likely to <\/i>endanger the territorial integrity of Palestine, or of any threat of aggression or act of aggression against Palestine, or of any other attempt to alter by force the status of Palestine as defined in this Agreement. If the Trusteeship Council is not in session and the Governor-General considers that any of the foregoing contingencies is of such urgency as to require immediate action by the United Nations, he shall bring the matter, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to the immediate attention of the Security Council.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 6<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n PRESERVATION OF ORDER<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The Governor-General shall be responsible for the organization and direction of the police forces necessary for the maintenance of internal law and order and for the protection throughout Palestine of the Holy Places, religious buildings and sites.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 7<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n LOCAL DEFENCE AND THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Governor-General shall, in accordance with Article 34 of the Charter, organize a volunteer force to provide for local defence and for the maintenance of lacy and order within Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. Until such time as the force provided for in paragraph I of this article shall be able to function effectively, or if subsequent to such time a situation arises with respect to which the force requires assistance, the Governor-General may call upon the Governments of …… to assist in the defence of Palestine or in the maintenance of law and order within Palestine, the responsibilities of the aforementioned States shall be set out in a separate protocol.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 8<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n CITIZENSHIP<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Without prejudice to the provisions of legislation which may subsequently be enacted in Palestine, the following categories of persons shall be regarded as citizens of Palestine:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (1) Persons resident in Palestine on 1 July 1947, who were not on that date nationals of 'any State outside of Palestine;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (2) Persons resident in Palestine on 1 July 1947, who were nationals on that date of a State outside of Palestine, if they have filed with the Government of Palestine at any time before 1 November 1948 a declaration, in such form as may be provided by the Government of Palestine, that they renounce their former nationality in favour of Palestinian citizenship;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (3) Persons who have resided in Palestine for three months and who, while continuing to be residents of Palestine, file with the Government of Palestine a declaration that they renounce the nationality of any State outside of Palestine of which they may be nationals, and take an oath of allegiance to the Government of Palestine;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (4) Children of Palestinian citizens, wherever born (provided such children have not at birth or subsequently acquired the nationality of a State outside of Palestine).<\/p><\/div>\n Article 9<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. All persons in Palestine shall enjoy freedom of conscience and shall, subject only to the requirements of public order, public morals and public health, enjoy all other fundamental human rights and freedoms, including freedom of religion and worship, language, education, speech and Press, assembly and association, and petition, including petition to the Trusteeship Council.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. No discrimination of any kind on grounds of race, religion, language or sex shall be made against any person in Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. All persons in Palestine shall be entitled to equal protection of the laws.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 4. No person within Palestine may be arrested, detained, convicted, or punished except according to legal process.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 5. No person or property within Palestine shall be subject to search or seizure except according to legal process.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 6. The legislation of Palestine shall ensure that accused persons shall have adequate rights of defence.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 7. The legislation of Palestine shall neither place nor recognize any restriction upon the free use by any person of any language in private intercourse, in religious matters, in commerce, in the Press or in publications of any kind, or at public meetings.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 8. Except as may be required for the maintenance of public order, good government and public health, no measure shall be taken to obstruct or interfere with the enterprise of religious or charitable bodies of all faiths. No measure shall be taken which discriminates on grounds of religion or nationality against any representative or member of such bodies.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 9. The family law and personal status of the various persons and communities and their religious interests, including endowments, shall be respected.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 10<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. During the trusteeship period, the Government of Palestine shall be composed of a Governor-General, a Cabinet responsible to the Legislature, a bicameral Legislature, and a Judiciary; provided that, pending the coming into being of the Cabinet and Legislature and during such times as they may be dissolved or suspended, as provided in this Agreement, the Governor-General shall be assisted by an Advisory Council, which shall function until such time as in the opinion of the Governor-General the citizens of Palestine demonstrate their willingness to cooperate in a Cabinet and Legislature as provided in this Agreement or in any other form of government on which both Jewish and Arab communities have reached agreement.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The Advisory Council referred to above shall be composed of the permanent chiefs of the administrative departments of the Government and of representative Palestinian citizens appointed by the Governor-General from each community.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 11<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n SELECTION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The Governor-General of Palestine shall he appointed by the Trusteeship Council and shall be responsible to it.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 12<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n TERM OF OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The term of office of the Governor-General shall be three years from the time of his appointment, provided that:<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n (a) The Trusteeship Council may extend the term of office of the Governor-General in any particular case for such period as it may think fit;<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ( 1; ) The Governor-General may resign his office upon due notice to the Trusteeship Council, and the Trusteeship Council may terminate his appointment for due cause at any time.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. At the expiration of his term of office or extended term the Governor-General shall be eligible for reappointment.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 13<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n GENERAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Governor-General shall be the representative of the United Nations in Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The Governor-General, on behalf of the United Nations, shall exercise executive authority in Palestine and shall act as Chief Administrator thereof, subject only to the provisions of this Agreement and instructions of the Trusteeship Council. He shall be responsible for ensuring the peace, order and good government of Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The Governor-General and his official and private property shall not in any way be subject to the jurisdiction of the Legislature or of the courts of Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 14<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n POWER OF PARDON AND REPRIEVE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The Governor-General may grant to any offender convicted of any offense in any court of Palestine a pardon, either free or conditioned, or any remission of the sentence passed on such offender, or any respite of the execution of such sentence, for such period as the Governor-General thinks fit, and may remit fines, penalties or forfeitures which may accrue or become payable to Palestine by virtue of the judgment of any court of Palestine or of the operation of any legislation of Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 15<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n GOVERNOR-GENERAL 'S EMERGENCY POWERS<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. If, in the opinion of the Governor-General, the administration of Palestine is being seriously obstructed or prevented by the non-co-operation or interference of persons or groups of persons in Palestine, the Governor-General during the period of the emergency shall take such measures and enact by order such legislation as he | may deem necessary to restore the effective functioning of the administration, and such orders shall have effect notwithstanding anything to I the contrary in any legislation in force in Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The circumstances in which the Governor-General may have exercised any power conferred upon him by this article shall be reported to the Trusteeship Council as soon as may be practicable.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 16<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ORGANIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Governor-General, after consultation with the Trusteeship Council, shall appoint a Chief Secretary to assist him in his duties.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The Governor-General shall appoint an administrative staff, including an Attorney General, the members of which shall be selected on a non-discriminatory basis for their competence the residents of Palestine. Subject to any instructions of the Trusteeship Council and to any legislation of Palestine, the appointments of members of the administrative staff may be terminated by the Governor-General at any time.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. In the performance of their duties, the administrative staff shall not seek or receive any instructions from any Government or authority other than the Government Palestine.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 17<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ACTING GOVERNOR-GENERAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n If the Office of Governor-General is vacant, or if the Governor-General is absent from Palestine or otherwise unable to exercise his powers or perform his duties, the officer holding substantively the appointment of Chief Secretary, or, if there is no such officer or he is absent from Palestine or unable to act, such person as may have been authorized to act in the circumstances by the Trusteeship Council may exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the Governor-General so long as the office of Governor-General is vacant or the Governor-General is absent from Palestine or otherwise unable to exercise his powers or perform his duties.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 18<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n DISQUALIFICATION FROM PUBLIC OFFICE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n A person shall be disqualified from holding any public office central or local, in Palestine, including membership of the Advisory Council and of the Legislature, if he holds any office under any other State; provided that the Governor-General may appoint to any public office in Palestine for a limited period any person seconded from the service of another State.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 19<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n THE CABINET<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Cabinet shall be composed of Ministers selected by a Prime Minister, all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor-General. Each Minister shall, during his term of office, serve as head of one of the administrative departments. Under him shall be a permanent chief of the administrative department and permanent administrative staff appointed by the Governor-General.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The Cabinet shall be individually and collectively responsible to both chambers of the Legislature.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. Upon a vote of no-confidence by either chamber of the Legislature, the Cabinet shall tender its resignation to the Governor-General who may then call upon responsible leaders in the Legislature to form a new Cabinet or may dissolve the Legislature and cause a general election to be held. The Cabinet shall also tender its resignation upon suspension or dissolution of the Legislature in accordance with the Agreement.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 20<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n LEGISLATURE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. The Legislature shall consist of two chambers.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Palestinian citizens twenty-five years of age or older elected from single-member districts, each of which districts shall be a geographical unit with a population approximately equal in number to that of every other electoral district.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The Senate shall be composed of thirty Palestinian citizens twenty-five years of age or older elected in equal numbers by the registered members of the Arab and Jewish communities in Palestine. The Arab representation shall consist of Moslems, Christians, and Druses in proportion to their numbers in the Arab population.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 4. Legislative provision may be made Us to disqualification for election to or membership in either chamber of the Legislative resulting from loss of legal capacity.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 5. Remuneration of members of both chambers of the Legislature shall be determined by legislation.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 21<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n l. The members of both chambers of the Legislature shall be elected by the citizens of Palestine twenty-one years of age and over, on the basis of universal suffrage and by secret ballot.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. Legislative provision may be made as to disqualification from voting resulting from loss of legal capacity.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 22<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n DURATION OF THE LEGISLATURE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n l. The term of both chambers of the Legislature shall be three years from the date of its election unless earlier dissolved.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. If, at the end of a three-year term of the Legislature, it is the opinion of the Governor-General that circumstances are inappropriate for the conduct of a general election, the Governor-General may temporarily prolong the term of the Legislature then in existence.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. If, in the opinion of the Governor-General, the special objectives of this Agreement are being gravely imperiled by the conduct of either or both Houses of the Legislature, the Governor-General may temporarily suspend the Legislature as a whole and shall forthwith report the circumstances to the Trusteeship Council for instructions.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 4. The Governor-General may at any time dissolve the Legislature. In the event of a dissolution, new elections shall be held as soon as circumstances are, in the opinion of the Governor-General, appropriate.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 23<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n LEGISLATION AND RESOLUTIONS<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. Bills and resolutions may be introduced in the Legislature by any member thereof.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. A bill adopted by the Legislature shall become law only upon approval and promulgation by the Governor-General except that on the expiration of thirty days after the transmission of a bill to the Governor-General, if he has by that time neither approved nor disapproved it, he shall promulgate it as a law. The Governor-General may disapprove a bill, if, in his opinion, it is in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, or it would impede the administration of Palestine or inflict undue hardship on any section of the inhabitants, and he shall then inform the Legislature of the reasons for his disapproval.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 24<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n LEGISLATION BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. At any time when there is no Legislature for Palestine or the Legislature is suspended, the Governor-General may legislate by order and any such order shall become law.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. If the Governor-General shall consider that it is essential to the normal functioning of the administration ( which expression shall, without prejudice to its generality, include the obligations imposed by this Agreement and all matters pertaining to the creation or abolition of any public office or to the appointment, salary or other conditions of service of any public officer) that any bill or resolution introduced in the Legislature should have effect, and if the Legislature fail to adopt such a bill or resolution within such time and in such form as the Governor-General may think reasonable and expedient, the Governor-General may, at any time in his discretion, notwithstanding any other procedures for legislation set out in this Agreement or in the Standing Orders of the Legislature, declare that such bill or resolution shall have effect as if it had been adopted by the Legislature, either in the form in which it was so introduced or with such amendments as the Governor-General shall think fit which have been proposed in the Legislature. The said bill shall thereupon become law or the said resolution shall have effect.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The Governor-General shall forthwith report to the Trusteeship Council any action taken by him by virtue of this article.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 25<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. Each chamber of the Legislature shall adopt such Standing Orders for the conduct of its business as it may deem appropriate, provided that the Trusteeship Council shall have the authority to revoke any such Order.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. The House of Representatives shall elect a chairman from its own membership; provided that if it fails to elect a chairman within a period prescribed by the Governor-General, the Governor-General shall appoint the chairman. The Governor-General, or a person designated by him, shall preside over the Senate and shall cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The Governor-General shall convene the first session of each Legislature and may at any time convene an extraordinary session.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 4. Subject to the provisions of article 22 of this Agreement, subsequent sessions of the Legislature shall be convened annually on the first Monday of October.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 5. The Governor-General may at any time prorogue or adjourn the Legislature.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 6. Subject to the provisions of article 22 of this Agreement, the Governor-General shall convene an extraordinary session of the Legislature upon the request of not less than a simple majority of the members of either chamber.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 26<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n IMMUNITY OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. No member of the Legislature shall be liable to any judicial or administrative penalty, or he called to account in any other way outside the Legislature, by reason of anything which he may have uttered, or of any vote which he may have cast, in the course of his duties as a member of the Legislature.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. No member of the Legislature shall be liable during the sessions of the Legislature to criminal, administrative or disciplinary proceedings, nor shall he be deprived of his liberty, without a two-thirds vote of the chamber of which he is a member; provided that he may be apprehended in the act of committing a crime and detained if his detention is or becomes imperative in the interests of justice or in order to counteract the effects of such crime, but in any such case his apprehension shall be reported as soon as may be practicable to the Legislature and he shall be released without delay should the chamber of which he is a member so request.<\/p><\/div>\n Article 27<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n JUDICIAL SYSTEM<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 1. There shall be established by legislation an independent judicial system for Palestine, including a Supreme Court and such subordinate and other courts as may be deemed appropriate. Such legislation shall establish the jurisdiction of the courts, and provide for their organization.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 2. All persons within Palestine shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Palestine, subject to any immunity for which provision is made in this Agreement.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n 3. The Supreme Court shall consist of such number of judges, not being less than three or more than five as the Trusteeship Council may determine, of whom one shall be President of the Supreme Court and shall be designated Chief Justice. They shall be appointed by, and their appointments shall be terminated only by, the Trusteeship Council.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n