GOK/PARLIAMENT DISCUSS ISRAELI ACTION IN GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000086 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KPAL KU SUBJECT: GOK/PARLIAMENT DISCUSS ISRAELI ACTION IN GAZA Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 b and d Summary and Comment: -------------- ¶1. (C) Recent Israeli measures in Gaza illicited sharp reactions from the Kuwaiti Government, Parliament and press. The MFA U/S demarched P-5 member representatives on the matter and called for UN Security Council action, calling the Israeli response to HAMAS attacks unbalanced and unjustified. The Kuwaiti National Assembly issued a statement condemning the Israeli action in Gaza, and the media is also full of commentary expressing outrage over the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. End Summary and Comment. GOK Summons P-5 Representatives to Discuss "Unjustified" Israeli Action in Gaza -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 21, Kuwaiti MFA U/S Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah summoned Chiefs of Missions from posts representing Permanent UN Security Council members to hear the GOK position of concern regarding the recent actions taken by the Government of ISRAEL in Gaza to counter HAMAS rocket attacks. Jarallah, stating that he was acting on insturctions from FM Dr. Mohammed Al Sabah, expressed deep concern for the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. He said that the GOK condemns Israeli actions, which are "destroying the peace process in the Middle East" and is also opposed to the violence perpetrated by HAMAS against Israel. He called the Israeli measures unbalanced and unjustified, adding that cutting off water supplies, medicine, electricity and healthcare crossed humanitarian lines. ¶3. (C) Jarallah said Kuwait called on the UNSC to intervene as it has the "role and responsibility of promoting peace and stability in the region." Jarallah said that the Arab League is likely to issue a statement condemning the Israeli "aggression" but discounted the utility and credibility of the organization's efforts in the matter. The key role for Arabs, he said without offering methodology, is to bring HAMAS into the international community, and convince the group to: --recognize the authority of Abu Mazen; --refrain from attacking Israel, and; --accept the two-state solution. ¶4. (U) On January 22, the Kuwaiti National Assembly issued the following statement: Informal Post translation. Begin Text: Statement by the Kuwaiti National Assembly on Israeli Aggression on Gaza Strip The National Assembly watches, with strong annoyance and extreme concern, the bloody and painful events which take place daily in the Gaza Strip. As a result of the barbaric military operations perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army, the residents of the Strip are subjected to the full closure of crossings and an economic siege. This has caused the subsequent prohibition of the arrival of medical supplies and fuel, and a destruction of national institutions. This pending humanitarian crisis warrants the mustering of Arab and Islamic efforts to save the Palestinian people from a looming disaster. Accordingly, the Kuwaiti National Assembly calls on the Arab and Islamic governments to shoulder their responsibility and move promptly to urge all international organizations to quickly intervene to stop the treacherous Israeli attacks and lift the unjust siege slapped on the Strip by the occupation troops and enable UNRWA to carry out it humanitarian relief operations. It also calls all Arabs and Muslims to speedily support their brothers in Gaza and to strive to alleviate their sufferings by extending all aid possible. The Kuwaiti National Assembly urges all Palestinian factions to close ranks and renounce differences, as such differences have adverse effects on their just cause, praying to God Almighty to relieve our brethren in Palestine of this affliction. End Text. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s KUWAIT 00000086 002 OF 002 Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER