KUWAIT, Nov 12 (KUNA) -- An international conference over the continued plight of Palestinian children amid ongoing Israeli transgression kicked off in Kuwait Sunday, sponsored and attended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Addressing a packed audience comprising local, Arab and Islamic dignitaries, the Palestinian leader said that this special event, held under the auspices of His Highness the Amir, shines a light on the plight of Palestinian children.
He added that he was grateful for Kuwait's enduring support of the Palestinian people, thanking the country for its diligent efforts to make this conference a reality.
Abbas also lamented the fact that Palestinian children have been on the receiving end of some of the most horrific crimes in the history of humanity, which illustrates the significance of this conference.
Meanwhile, Kuwait's Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh said that her country was eager to play host to this conference as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
She expressed hope that the conference would yield concrete results that would ensure that through all the suffering they have had to withstand, Palestinian children would not be denied of their inalienable rights. The Kuwaiti minister revealed that the conference tackles a host of pivotal issues germane to the adversities faced by Palestinian children, in the face of unabated Israeli violence.
Attendees included National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Other officials also in attendance were Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul-Gheit, Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh, as well as a bevy of senior officials.
Addressing the conference, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmad Abul-Gheit thanked His Highness the Amir for patronizing this important event which spotlights the plight of Palestinian children.
He said today's gathering comes at a time when the practices of Israeli occupying authorities are growingly escalating, causing political, social and economic sufferings to the Palestinian people.
He added that Palestinian children are deprived of minimum rights and that their families have suffered the woes of forced displacement, occupation and violence.
In spite of their hard circumstances, Palestinian children could play a major part in the conflict with Israeli occupying authorities by launching the so-called "stone intifada" in occupied Palestinian territories, Abul-Gheit said.
Just like other children across the world, Palestinian children want to live a normal life, have a bright future and enjoy basic childhood rights, he pointed out.
The Israeli government has been fully controlled by settlement and far-right groups, he lamented, estimating the number of Jewish settlers in occupied Palestinian territories at 650,000, including 200,000 in East Jerusalem.
Some 2012 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli occupying forces and settlers during the period between 2000 and 2016, he said, citing international reports in this regard.
Furthermore, around 700 Palestinian children aged between 12 and 17 are facing trial at Israeli military courts, Abul-Gheit remarked.
Only last year, 380 Palestinian children under 18 years old were arrested and jailed in Israeli prisons, where they were subject to psychological and physical sufferings, he noted. (end) mt