The Gulf Cooperation Council Rejects any justifications for the continued aggression against Palestinians
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza, emphasizing their solidarity with the Palestinians.
In a joint statement before the United Nations Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue with the International Fact-Finding Committee on the Occupied Territories and Israel, the GCC countries called for an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the facilitation of humanitarian aid. They rejected any justifications for the continued aggression against the Palestinian people.
The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva, on behalf of the GCC countries, affirmed that Israel’s continued violations and attacks constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
As it resulted in the deaths of 38,000 people in Gaza.
The GCC expressed regret over the report’s equivalence between the victim—the Palestinian people—and the perpetrator—the occupying force that has committed genocide and violated the rights of Palestinians for over 75 years, disregarding international laws.
Over six million Palestinian refugees
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reports that over six million Palestinian refugees continue to endure displacement.
These refugees are descendants of those forcibly displaced from their lands during the 1948 Palestinian exodus (Nakba).
As of January 2022, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) registers approximately 9.5 million Palestinian refugees.
Around 2 million residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This constitutes approximately 42% of the Palestinian refugee population (15% in the West Bank versus 27% in Gaza).
Within the State of Palestine, refugees make up about 42% of the total Palestinian population.
In 2017, the West Bank had a refugee population of 26%, while Gaza had 66%.
Around 50% of Palestinians Are Refugees in Nearby Countries
In Jordan, registered Palestinian refugees account for about 40% of the total Palestinian refugee population.
In Lebanon and Syria, this percentage is approximately 8% and 10%, respectively.
These estimates represent the minimum number of Palestinian refugees, considering that there are unregistered refugees.
However, the figures do not include those displaced after 1949 until the eve of the 1967 Six-Day War or Palestinians.
As they were not originally refugees but were displaced in 1967 due to the war.
The Emirates Foundation, in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank, signed strategic agreements with a number of partners to launch the “Emirates Initiative for Financial Well-being and Sustainability,” which aims to provide knowledge and financial tools to citizens and residents… pic.twitter.com/C0PyLKDgYh
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) June 20, 2024
Notably, there are no significant disparities in social and economic conditions between Palestinian refugees and non-refugees in the region.
Literacy rates indicate that refugee literacy in the West Bank is approximately 91%, compared to 92% for non-refugees.
In Gaza, refugee literacy stands at 71%, while non-refugees have a literacy rate of 82%.
Unemployment rates in 2022 among Gaza refugees reached 47%, slightly higher than the 42% rate for non-refugees.
In the West Bank, refugee unemployment was 14%, compared to 13% for non-refugees.
The Arab Group at the United Nations in Geneva Strongly Condemns the Israeli acts of genocide
Furthermore, the Arab Group at the United Nations in Geneva strongly condemned the Israeli occupation’s international crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly the acts of genocide in Gaza.
The Arab countries emphasized that Israel, according to the International Fact-Finding Committee’s report, bears full legal responsibility for egregious violations. Including using starvation as a method of war and deliberate killings.
As well as the employment of violence in all forms against the Palestinian population.
The Emirates Red Crescent Authority distributed Eid clothing to 600 families in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in addition to 3,500 sacrifices, which contributed to bringing joy and happiness to the hearts of its members on this blessed occasion. pic.twitter.com/Irz5dMjorz
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) June 19, 2024
The targeting and destruction of residential areas with heavy weapons were also highlighted.
The Arab Group expressed dismay at Israel’s refusal to allow the Committee to investigate its misleading claims.
The Committee confirmed that all allegations were based on Israeli sources and lacked independence.
The Arab countries denounced the incitement by Israeli officials to commit acts of genocide.
