KUWAIT CITY, Oct 5: Several international law experts, lawyers and activists expressed their pride over the participation of Kuwaiti youths in the ‘Resilience Flotilla’, stressing that this participation is a confirmation that Kuwait fully supports the Palestinian cause and the people of Gaza. In a special investigative report, these experts told the newspaper that the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in supporting the detained Kuwaitis -- Abdullah Mubarak Al-Mutawa, Mohammad Jamal and Khaled Al-Abd Al-Jader -- deserve commendation. They asserted, “the Kuwaiti people are proud of their participation in the ‘Resilience Flotilla’.

We implore Allah Almighty to release them and return them to Kuwait safely, especially since these young men went there to provide food and medicines to the people of Gaza, not to fight.” Vice President of the International Union of Jurists Attorney Mubarak Al-Mutawa disclosed that he was initially unaware of his son Abdullah’s participation in the ‘Resilience Flotilla’. He affirmed that he is proud of the Kuwaiti youths’ participation in the flotilla to provide aid to the people of Gaza.

Al - Mutawa stated that his son Abdullah went out with good and pure intentions to participate in the flotilla, especially since he was raised in a family with a long history of involvement in charitable and humanitarian works. He explained that international law protects those who provide humanitarian aid in times of war, and that Abdullah and the rest of the flotilla participants will be released, because they did not commit a crime and did not travel with weapons, as they went there to provide humanitarian aid, expressing his gratitude for the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the return of the detained Kuwaiti youths. He said the ministry affirms its commitment to guarantee the safety of the Kuwaiti people

He added he is confident and certain that the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stem from the directives and support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as the support of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Sabah, will bear fruit. He recalled his previous experience in the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ 15 years ago, when he was part of the international volunteer team on the Mavi Marmara ship that set sail from Turkiye to the shores of Gaza, and how he survived. He pointed out that the Palestinian cause will not die and will remain until the liberation. Professor of International Law at the College of Law in Kuwait University Prof. Madous Al-Rashidi stated that the Israeli authorities have no right to detain the ships of the ‘Resilience Flotilla’ or those on board, as this flotilla is protected by international humanitarian law and international maritime law.

“Countries that signed the relevant agreements have no right to violate the laws, especially since the goal of the individuals who participated in the flotilla is to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza in light of the war of extermination that Israel has been waging against the people of Gaza for two years now. Furthermore, the ships of the flotilla were sailing on international waters.

Even if they entered territorial waters and Gaza is an occupied territory, its territorial waters are not subject to the Israeli occupation authorities under any circumstances. The most that the occupying authorities can do to those they have detained is to obtain pledges from them or confiscate food and medicine supplies on the ships, considering international sympathy for the people of Gaza has begun to spread, as manifested in the vote of 142 countries at the United Nations (UN) in favor of recognizing the State of Palestine.

This means that the majority of UN member states are against Israel for committing actions against the Palestinian people in general and the people of Gaza in particular. The continuation of Israel’s war on the people of Gaza for 24 months now confirms the extent of its violation of all norms and the ethics of war, as it insists on the genocide of the people of Gaza.”

Media expert and economic researcher Faisal Daham Al-Harbi emphasized that the noble goals of the flotilla are to break the siege on the people of Gaza and to bear witness to the injustice suffered by Arab and Muslim people. “For 24 months now, the Palestinian people have been subjected to desecration without any action from international organizations.

Some countries took action only after the devastation. The fact that young people of various nationalities joined the flotilla to provide medicines and food to the people of Gaza confirms what drove them to do so -- they were driven by conscience and religion,” he stated. He then stressed that the Kuwaiti people are proud of the participation of Kuwaiti youths in the flotilla and that they will be freed. Addressing the young participants, he said “you have raised the heads of the Kuwaiti people. I hope those who gloat over their detention will emulate the heroic act of these Kuwaiti youths, along with other prominent figures and youths from around the world.”

Dr. Manal Al-Kandari, former Secretary General of the Transparency Society, stated that the Palestinian cause was and will remain Kuwait’s eternal issue. She pointed out that the Arabs’ duties toward Palestine are not merely political or humanitarian, as they are duties imposed by religious, national, moral and historical beliefs, since they are related to a central issue that touches the identity of the entire nation.

“Through the pioneering newspaper, I express my pride and reverence for the honorable stances of the heroic Kuwaiti youths in the ‘Resilience Flotilla’, a fleet that embodies the meaning of national unity and public cohesion in defense of land and honor. The Kuwaiti youths who participated in the flotilla proved that the spirit of sacrifice and loyalty is deeply rooted in their souls and that of the entire Kuwaiti people. They are an extension of a generation that believes the homeland is entrusted to the people, protecting it is an honor, and loyalty to it is an unbreakable pledge.

The heroic participation was not just a matter of national duty, as it rather conveyed a sincere message to the whole world that Kuwait, no matter how severe the trials it is facing, remains resilient, thanks to its loyal youths who are a symbol of determination, a symbol of dignity, and a banner of glory that flies high on the sky of history. To the youths of Kuwait in the flotilla, we are proud of you. We appreciate you. You have raised the nation’s flag and set the most wonderful example of loyalty, courage and bravery, such that the Palestinian cause remains our first and last cause.”

She added “Since the last quarter of 2023, the Israeli war on Gaza has led to the martyrdom of more than 66,184 individuals, in addition to thousands of missing persons. The number of ships participating in the flotilla exceeded 400, carrying aid from about 45 countries, including prominent political figures and activists in various fields. Women participate alongside men in the flotilla.”

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff