QNA/Doha

Qatar yesterday demanded an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories as well as the cessation of all its racist and aggressive acts.

It also called for lifting of the ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip, and stressed the need for the immediate halt to all settlement activities which confirmed that Israel is not serious about achieving peace process.

This came in a speech by Jassim al-Maawda, Second Secretary at Qatar’s Mission to UN and other international organisations in Geneva, delivered during the general debate of the 13th session of the Human Rights Council entitled “the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.”

Al-Maawda stressed the need to participate in the discussions to highlight the continuing human rights violations by Israel, the occupying power.

He said Israel’s escalation has reached a very dangerous stage. Since its occupation of Palestinian territories, Israel has continued to commit heinous crimes, violations and provocative and racist practices against the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nations, al-Maawda added.

The Second Secretary condemned all Israeli attacks on Muslims in the occupied Jerusalem and the repeated incursions by Israeli forces and a group of settlers into the Al Aqsa Mosque and the flagrant attack on worshippers in its compound.

Al-Maawda said Israel must understand that the Palestinian cause will not be obliterated despite all the difficulties which the region is undergoing, because it is an Islamic and Arab issue that is rooted in the Arab and Muslim conscience.

The Second Secretary reiterated Qatar’s firm position in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause until their rights are restored and their independent state with full sovereignty and its capital in East Jerusalem is established.