Kuwait City: Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayyen, expressed absolute rejection of any attempts to decimate Palestine's historical and cultural presence, including its geographic and demographic characteristics, or to convert archaeological sites into exclusive tourism projects. This statement was made during a speech delivered by Ambassador Al-Hayyen as Chairman of the Council of the GCC countries' ambassadors before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, during an interactive dialogue with the fact-finding mission on the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Hayyen voiced deep concern over the committee's documented systematic targeting of cultural and religious sites in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. He praised the committee's conclusion that the destruction of these landmarks, restrictions on accessing them, and attempts to erase the historical connection constitute a violation of the rights of the Palestinians and undermine their national identity.
Furthermore, Al-Hayyen condemned the practices of the occupying power and the policy of collective punishment. He also expressed the GCC's rejection of any justification or pretexts for describing the Israeli occupation aggression as self-defense. On behalf of the GCC countries, he welcomed the fact-finding mission's reports and the committee's emphasis on Israel's violations of international and human rights laws.