Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969
The Security Council,
Grieved at the extensive damage caused by arson to the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on 21 August 1969
under the military occupation of Israel, Mindful of the consequent loss to human culture, Having heard the
statements made before the Council reflecting the universal outrage caused by the act of sacrilege in one of
the most venerated shrines of mankind,
Recalling its resolutions 252 (1968) of 21 May 1968 and 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 and the earlier General
Assembly resolutions 2253 (ES-V) and 2254 (ES-V) of 4 and 14 July 1967, respectively, concerning measures and
actions by Israel affecting the status of the City of Jerusalem,
Reaffirming the established principle that acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible,
1. Reaffirms its resolutions 252 (1968) and 267 (1969);
2. Recognizes that any act of destruction or profanation of the Holy Places, religious buildings and sites in
Jerusalem or any encouragement of, or connivance at, any such act may seriously endanger international peace
and security;
3. Determines that the execrable act of desecration and profanation of the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque emphasizes the
immediate necessity of Israel's desisting from acting in violation of the aforesaid resolutions and rescinding
forthwith all measures and actions taken by it designed to alter the status of Jerusalem;
4. Calls upon Israel scrupulously to observe the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and international law
governing military occupation and to refrain from causing any hindrance to the discharge of the established
functions of the Supreme Moslem Council of Jerusalem, including any co-operation that Council may desire from
countries with predominantly Moslem population and from Moslem communities in relation to its plans for the
maintenance and repair of the Islamic Holy Places in Jerusalem;
5. Condemns the failure of Israel to comply with the aforementioned resolutions and calls upon it to implement
forthwith the provisions of these resolutions;
6. Reiterates the determination in paragraph 7 of resolution 267 (1969) that, in the event of a negative
response or no response, the Security Council shall convene without delay to consider what further action
should be taken in this matter;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to follow closely the implementation of the present resolution and to report
thereon to the Security Council at the earliest possible date.
Adopted at the 1512th meeting by 11 votes to none, with 4 abstentions (Colombia, Finland, Paraguay, United
States of America).