The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, has urged the international community to take action "to end the suffering of the Palestinian people from the horrors of Israeli racial discrimination that Tel Aviv commits daily." Al-Budaiwi, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which falls on March 21, emphasized the commitment of GCC countries to what is stated in the Declaration of Human Rights of the Gulf Cooperation Council, outlining rights ensured by their constitutions and national legislation.
He highlighted Article 2 of the declaration, which states that "all people are equal in human dignity, rights, and freedoms, and they are equal before the law, without discrimination based on origin, gender, religion, language, color, or any form of discrimination." Al-Budaiwi confirmed the GCC countries' respect for the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the international convention concerning the elimination of racial discrimination, as well as their adoption of legislation and measures to combat racial discrimination and reject hatred and intolerance, while promoting a culture of tolerance, coexistence, justice, and equality within their communities.
He pointed to the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the "Palestinian people from persecution, discrimination, and apartheid characterized by domination, imposition of restrictions, deprivation, segregation, and serious violations of human rights and international law by Israeli occupation forces." Al-Budaiwi stressed the necessity for the international community to take the necessary actions to "end the suffering of the Palestinian people from the horrors of Israeli racial discrimination that is perpetrated daily against them."
