Kuwait appeals world to protect Palestinians from Israel cruelty

Credibility of rights council at stake: envoy

GENEVA, June 29, (KUNA): The State of Kuwait on Monday urged the international community to protect the Palestinian people against unjust policies practiced by the Israeli occupiers of their territories since four decades.

The international community, namely the UN Human Rights Council, should take rapid steps to coerce Israel halt its breaches of the international human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza strip, and bring the perpetrators to justice, said Ambassador Jamal AlGhuneim, the permanent delegate, as he addressed the 29th session of the UNHRC.

Credibility of the council is currently at stake, especially if the member states fail to shoulder their responsibilities toward the Palestinian people, Ambassador Al-Ghuneim warned.

Kuwait renews its call upon the UNHRC to send a strong message to the “Israeli aggressor to stop breaches of the Palestinian peoples’ rights, end the occupation and respect relevant international conventions and obligations.” He noted that the independent commission’s report on military operations in Gaza affirmed systematic and dangerous breaches involving “the brotherly Palestinian people at hands of the Iraeli occupation authorities.” Kuwait condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli practices against the Palestinian people, namely acts such as killing, arbitrary detention, land expropriation and building settlements.

Ambassador Al-Ghuneim noted significance of the report with respect of revealing the unjust siege of Gaza, imposed since 2007 and branded by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Failure of the international community as to questioning the Israeli authorities about their crimes has led to escalation of hostile and criminal acts by Israel, he said, noting in particular the aggression on Gaza in July 2014 that resulted in death of hundreds of innocent people, mostly children, women and old Palestinians.

Affirming Kuwait’s keenness on aiding the Palestinians, he noted that it has recently earmarked $200 million for rebuilding southern regions in Gaza. Some of the money would cover costs of building 1,500 residential units, in addition to a water pipeline.

Kuwait will continue to support the Palestinians till end of the occupation, establishment of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, he emphasized.