Rule of law at the national and international levels – GA Sixth Cttee debate – Summary records (excerpts)

Sixth Committee 

Summary record of the 9th meeting 

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Tuesday, 12 October 2010, at 3 p.m. 

 Chairperson:  Ms. Picco ………………………………………………………   (Monaco) 

Contents 

The meeting was called to order at 3.05 p.m. 

Agenda item 85: The rule of law at the national and international levels (continued) (A/65/318) 

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40.  Mr. Alsubaie (Kuwait) …

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41.  At the international level, Kuwait complied with the principles, laws and treaties that together promoted the rule of law through, for instance, non-interference in the affairs of other States and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Arab-Israeli conflict was the greatest threat to peace and security in the region. Because the United Nations had been unable to find a solution, Israel felt free to flout international law. For example, settlement construction had continued, as had the blockade on Gaza, the demolition and Judaization of Jerusalem, the expropriation of land and the oppression of Palestinians. On 31 May 2010, Israel had raided an aid flotilla in international waters in the belief that it would not be held accountable. 

42.  Kuwait reiterated its support for the establishment of a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital. The occupied Syrian Golan should be returned to the Syrian Arab Republic. Israel must desist from its repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty, which violated Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), and withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territory.

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84.  Ms. Schonmann (Israel), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that it was unfortunate, if unsurprising, that the representative of Kuwait had chosen to taint the important current debate with an outburst of unfounded, politicized allegations that had no place in the work of the Committee. Out of respect for that work, she had no intention of responding in substance. However, she wished to remind the representative of Kuwait that people who lived in glass houses should not throw stones. She urged all delegations to show a professional spirit in accordance with the established practice of the Committee. 

85.  Mr. Alsubaie (Kuwait), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that his delegation stood by its remarks. Israel’s policies defied international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations on a daily basis. The Arab Peace Initiative had been intended to bring an end to the conflict. However, Israel’s decision not to extend the moratorium on settlement activities would strike a lethal blow to the peace process. It was unacceptable that Israel continued to inflict the worst forms of collective punishment on the Palestinian people. His delegation called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its inhuman activities. 

The meeting rose at 6.05 p.m. 

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Corrections will be issued after the end of the session, in a separate corrigendum for each Committee.