ShareNEW YORK: The Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations on Monday condemned Israel as rogue country for trifling with all international laws and the UN resolutions. The policies of the Israeli occupation authorities negatively impact on the social and economic rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, according to a statement read by Abrar Abdullatif Jarraq on behalf of the mission during a meeting by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting discusses the item on "Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources." Jarraq expressed Kuwait's appreciation of the efforts of UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon and the report of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) on the living conditions of the Palestinian people.
Systematic violations
The report traces Israel's systematic violations of the international laws including the destruction of the infrastructure and principals of development in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as demolition of Palestinian homes, she pointed out. Last year the Israeli occupation authorities destroyed Palestinian educational facilities and have confiscated more than one billion sq. meters of Palestinian farmland since the start of the occupation, she said, citing the report.
The illegal Jewish settlement expansions continued hectically to the extent that 40 percent of the West Bank area became under the control of Israeli municipal councils, Jarraq went on. Israel continued hampering the socio-economic development and usurping the natural resources in the occupied territories through its racist and discriminatory policies that hindered the Palestinians' access to fresh water. The constraints placed by the Israeli occupation authorities on Palestinian economic activities left the Palestinian territories virtually isolated from the rest of the world.
The racist policies of the Israeli authorities deprived the Palestinians of their religious rights enshrined in the Fourth Geneva Convention and other international legal instruments, she added. On behalf of Kuwait, Jarraq renewed the call for lifting the siege on Gaza Strip, providing international protection for the Palestinian people and preparing the ground for Palestinian statehood and an ultimate end to the Israeli occupation. Kuwait has pledged $200 million to the post-war rehabilitation of Gaza Strip, she said, urging the international community to follow suit and shoulder its responsibility towards the Palestinians besieged in the Strip.
Coalition meeting
In another development, the 7th meeting of chiefs of staff of members of the US-led coalition against ISIL kicked off on Monday, with Kuwait's Lt Gen Mohammad Al-Khedher participating. Some 100 representative from 30 member countries of the coalition are to review and coordinate efforts, as well as discuss latest developments in terms of fighting ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), said a statement by the Spanish ministry of defense. The tow-day meeting would also focus on security strategies and terrorist threats, as well as exchanging views on how to address the situation in Iraq and Syria, the statement added. The last meeting was held in Doha, Qatar, while the previous ones were hosted by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the US, Germany and France.
Security Council bid
Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah stated late Monday that Kuwait is intensifying efforts to rally world's support for its nomination to a non-permanent member seat in the UN Security Council elections of 2018. Kuwait's preparations for the UNSC elections are on full swing at different levels and in all the world continents, Al-Jarallah told reporters following his participation in a celebration of the 70th anniversary of launching UN charter. He went on to say that if elected, Kuwait would do its utmost to serve international causes during its two-year tenure. On the various calls for reforming the UN charter, Al-Jarallah expressed Kuwait's support to the initiatives and proposals to upgrade the charter to help boost the UN role in resolving international disputes. He also announced that the British capital of London would play host for the fourth international aid pledging conference for Syria. - Agencies
