Following the Israeli Cabinet decisions on Jerusalem on 21 June, the Arab states requested a Security Council debate and the adoption of an anti-Israel resolution. A debate was held on 30 June. As the United States threatened to veto any draft resolution fearing it would harm the peace process, the Council had to be content with a statement by its President on Israeli actions in Jerusalem. The statement was non-binding and did not carry as much weight as an ordinary resolution. Text of the resolution and Israel's Foreign Ministry reaction follows:
The Security Council has considered the letters dated 18 and 22 June 1998 (S/1998/535 and S/1998/557) as well as the letters dated 8, 9 and 15 June 1998 (S/1998/481, S/1998/487 and S/1998/511) from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, and the Sudan to the United Nations on behalf of the states members of the League of Arab States relating to the issue of Jerusalem.
The Security Council recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the issue of Jerusalem to all parties and expresses its support for the decision of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Government of Israel, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles of 13 September 1998, that the Permanent Status Negotiations shall cover the issue of Jerusalem. The Council, therefore, calls upon the parties to avoid actions which might prejudice the outcome of these negotiations.
In the context of its previous relevant resolutions, the Security Council considered the decision by the Government of Israel on 21 June 1998 to take steps to broaden the jurisdiction and planning boundaries of Jerusalem a serious and damaging development. The Council, therefore, calls upon the Government of Israel not to proceed with that decision and also not to take any other steps which would prejudice the outcome of the Permanent Status Negotiations. Further, the Council also calls upon Israel to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in times of war of 12 August 1949. The Security Council supports the efforts of the United States aimed at breaking the stalemate in the peace process, calls upon the parties to respond positively to these efforts, notes that the Palestinian side has already given agreement in principle to the United States proposal, and expresses the hope that the Permanent Status Negotiations can resume and progress can be made toward the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973.
Israel's response:
Israel regrets the Presidential Statement adopted yesterday by the United Nations Security Council. Israel has already clarified that the Cabinet decision of June 21, 1998 does not contradict the agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. The decision is municipal in nature, and is intended to extend Jerusalem's municipal jurisdiction only to areas west of the city. The Presidential Statement adopted by the Security Council ignores these facts.
Israel will continue to work for the development and prosperity of Jerusalem, for the benefit of all its inhabitants.