Kuwait condemns Israel’s practices in Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa
Kuwaiti FM attends Arab League meeting
KUWAIT CITY, July 27, (KUNA): The State of Kuwait on Thursday “strongly” condemned the escalating Israeli practices against the Palestinians in Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, urging the Israeli authorities to fully reopen the mosque.
In a statement, an official at the Foreign Ministry called for removing all restrictions that prevent Muslims from conducting their rituals smoothly and in quietude, and to let them practise their legitimate right in performing prayers, as well as respecting the status quo and all the relevant conventions and charters, refraining from further provocation of Muslims’
feelings worldwide.
The source urged the international community to assume responsibility and press Israel to be committed to the international conventions and accords, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, and immediately bring to a halt the violations “that will only lead to more violence and threats to security, stability and peace in the region.”
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Thursday urged the international community to bear its responsibility in putting a stop to Israeli “criminal” practices in Jerusalem.
Speaking at Arab League ministerial talks discussing Israel’s recent installation of metal detectors and surveillance cameras at Al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates in Jerusalem, he expressed Kuwait’s utter condemnation of these actions.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled described the measures as “repressive” and “arbitrary,” calling for a firm stance on the measures from the international community.
The Israeli violations in Jerusalem are in violation of Security Council resolutions 476, 478 and 2334, he said, and are an infringement on the Fourth Geneva Convention, he said.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti foreign minister expressed gratitude for the role of several Arab countries who, after talks with world leaders, were successful in persuading Israel to remove the measures. “The Palestinian people deserve all our support in resisting them (the Israeli government) in order to preserve the identity of Jerusalem and to seek a solution to their just cause,” he said.
He also reiterated Kuwait’s “firm and principled stance” in support of the Palestinians until they obtain their full legitimate rights and find just and comprehensive peace that leads to the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimate resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
RABAT, July 27, (Agencies): National Assembly Speaker Marzouq AlGhanim said on Thursday that Kuwait would not surrender to “defeatist proposals” regarding the rights of Palestinians, and urged Islamic nations to come to the aid of Palestinians through diplomatic means.
Kuwait’s chief lawmaker made the comments at urgent Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union talks on Israel’s recent failed attempts to place metal detectors and surveillance cameras at the gates of AlAqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Israel removed the inspection measures after Palestinian worshippers in the hundreds declined to enter the holy site in protest of the move.
Al-Ghanim urged Arab lawmakers and politicians to bring up the topic at upcoming international meetings, calling Israel’s actions a “bold and shocking assault” on one of Islam’s holiest of sites.
Meanwhile, he expressed regret at what he deemed were attempts, amongst certain Arab and Muslim countries, to encourage a sense of resignation to the issue of Palestine.
“Here I ask the languid and the detractors: Do we give up on all other forms of support for the Palestinian people, merely because we are unable to come to their aid with weapons?,” he said.
Israel believes that the “unprecedented situation,” which is preoccupying the Islamic region, gives it the right to “encroach upon the Holy AlAqsa (Mosque) and do as it pleases.” These actions have united Muslims, whose pride has been hurt, around the world, he said.
Kuwait, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, as part of the Arab and Islamic regions, and as a productive nation in the free world, “will not bow down, will not surrender and will not be rendered restless,” he underlined.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met on Thursday with the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulkader Messahel.
The meeting came on the sidelines of the Arab League emergency meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers to discuss Israeli violations on Al-Aqsa Mosque against Muslims and measures that should be taken to face the Israeli escalation to the problem.
Meeting
The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for the minister’s office Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt, Mohammad Saleh Al-Thuwaikh and Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Ambassador Aziz Al-Daihani, in addition to a number of senior officials at the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed relief as protesters entered Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time after Israel removed metal detectors and surveillance cameras, which were the cause of the grievances.
A statement by the OIC said there was “pride and admiration for our people in Jerusalem, who have subjected the Israeli government to comply, through stability, steadiness and solidarity, under the leadership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.” The OIC stressed that the two-state solution and establishing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine would be the only way to achieve peace and stability in the area.
Moreover, the OIC affirmed its support for Jerusalemites’ solidarity in facing the Israeli attempts to amend the nature of Jerusalem by altering the facts on the ground and changing the status quo, the statement added.
OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen lauded Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud’s successful efforts on this matter, who contributed to the reopening the holy Mosque after discussions with a number of world leaders.
Saudi Arabia has succeeded in mobilizing the international community to pressure Israel to renounce all illegal measures it has imposed on the Holy City, Al-Othaimeen added.