§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Lord Privy Seal why Her Majesty's Government abstained in the vote in the Security Council on the resolution condemning the annexation by Israel of the Golan area of Syria; and whether this abstention indicates that Her Majesty's Government approve of or acquiesce in the annexation.
§ Mr. HurdThe statement of 15 December by the Foreign Ministers of the Ten made clear that we strongly deplore the decision to extend Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration to the Golan Heights, which we regard as tantamount to annexation and contrary to international law. We also supported resolution 497 which declared the Israeli decision null and void. Our abstention in the recent Security Council vote on the Israeli move reflected our doubts about the language of the draft resolution, and in particular about the proposed determination of the Israeli action as an act of aggression under article 39 of the charter.