1. Establishment of an armistice, Security Council Resolution S/1080, 16 November 1948:
In the autumn of 1948, Israeli diplomats began informal negotiations with representatives of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. On 12 November 1948, Prime Minister Ben-Gurion said that talks were in progress between Israel and two Arab States. Meanwhile, Israel sought to convince the Powers that direct negotiations would be the best way to bring about a settlement. The United States supported the idea and it was formally proposed by Canada to the Security Council. On 16 November 1948, the Council called upon Israel and the Arab States to replace the existing truce by, a permanent armistice negotiated directly, or through the Acting Mediator.
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its previous resolutions concerning the establishment and implementation of the truce in Palestine, and recalling particularly its resolution of 15 July 1948 which determined that the situation in Palestine constitutes a threat to the peace within the meaning of Article 39 of the Charter,
Taking note that the General Assembly is continuing its consideration of the future government of Palestine in response to the request of the Security Council of 1 April 1948 (S/714),
Without prejudice to the actions of the Acting Mediator regarding the implementation of the resolution of the Security Council of 4 November 1948;
Decides that, in order to eliminate the threat to the peace in Palestine and to facilitate the transition from the present truce to permanent peace in Palestine, an armistice shall be established in all sectors of Palestine;
Calls upon the parties directly involved in the conflict in Palestine, as a further provisional measure under Article 40 of the Charter, to seek agreement forthwith, by negotiations conducted either directly or through the Acting Mediator on Palestine, with a view to the immediate establishment of the armistice including:
- The delineation of permanent armistice demarcation lines beyond which the armed forces of the respective parties shall not move;
- Such withdrawal and reduction of their armed forces as will ensure the maintenance of the armistice during the transition to permanent peace in Palestine.