Axis correspondent, Brian Souter challenges UN tagging Jerusalem as Israeli capital By Brian Souter and Les Blough

Were the following issue simply an isolated squabble between two countries, we would not be giving it this space and importance on Axis of Logic. But as is recognized internationally, the status of Jerusalem is an extremely sensitive subject relating to the conflict between Israel and the Arab countries, with implications for the entire world. It's one of the key issues, central to the 9/11/01 attacks and the "war on terror" that has now engulfed, in one form or another, planet earth. Under international law, neither East nor West Jerusalem is considered to be Israel's capital.

On June 5, 2008, Brian Souter, Axis of Logic correspondent, quintessential researcher and activist par excellence, noticed that the United Nations had Jerusalem listed as the capital of Israel. He noted that among Israeli cities listed by the UN, Jerusalem was listed in CAPITAL LETTERS, signifying it's status as Israel's capital. Seeking to rectify this error, he wrote to the Statistics Division of the U.N., seeking an explanation. Brian also pointed out UN resolutions which deny Israel's right to name Jerusalem as their capital city.

M. Isabel Cobos-Hernandez, Assistant Editor of the UN Demographic Yearbook replied to him promptly, admitting this designation for Jerusalem was incorrect. Later, Adriana Skenderi, presumably writing on behalf of Cobos-Hernandez, wrote to Statistics/NY/UNO, stating, "Please look at this message with priority". Brian sent to us a copy of his exchange with the United Nations which is provided below. Ms. Cobos-Hernandez assured that this error would be corrected one month following her June 6 letter to Brian. Anyone interested in following up on the UN response can check the UN Statistics Division for the correction in July. That correction should reflect Tel Aviv as the capital and not Jerusalem.

UN Security Council Resolution 252 (1968) states the following:

The Security Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 2253 (ES-V) of 4 July 1967 and 2254 (ES-V) of 14 July 1967,

Having considered the letter of the Permanent Representative of Jordan on the situation in Jerusalem (S/8560)1/ and the report of the Secretary-General (S/8146),2/

Having heard the statements made before the Council,

Noting that since the adoption of the above-mentioned resolutions Israel has taken further measures and actions in contravention of those resolutions,

Bearing in mind the need to work for a just and lasting peace,

Reaffirming that acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible,

1. "Deplores the failure of Israel to comply with the General Assembly resolutions mentioned above;

2. Considers that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, including expropriation of land and properties thereon, which tend to change the legal status of Jerusalem are invalid and cannot change that status;

3. Urgently calls upon Israel to rescind all such measures already taken and to desist forthwith from taking any further action which tends to change the status of Jerusalem;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the implementation of the present resolution.

Adopted at the 1426th meeting by 13 votes to none, with
2 abstentions (Canada and United States of America).