Qatar Condemns Destruction of Food Systems in Gaza by Israeli Forces

Qatar denounces the destruction of Gaza’s food systems by Israeli forces, urging international intervention and accountability, while addressing challenges to food rights during a dialogue at the Human Rights Council. The call for sustainable food systems was reinforced through the Doha Declaration on Food Justice.

The State of Qatar has issued a strong condemnation regarding the systematic and intentional destruction of the food system within the Gaza Strip by Israeli occupation forces. This destruction is viewed as part of a broader strategy involving blockade and starvation policies, perceived as weapons in a campaign of genocide against the Palestinian population.

Qatar has urged the international community to undertake necessary measures to safeguard the Palestinian people and to ensure accountability for those responsible for the numerous crimes and severe violations being inflicted upon them. This appeal was articulated by Hessa Essa Rashid Al Khater, a representative from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Al Khater elaborated on the challenges affecting the right to food, encompassing issues such as famine, malnutrition, environmental contamination, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and fluctuations in food prices, all of which have been exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and crises. She expressed that these factors severely undermine the realization of the right to food.

Additionally, she referenced Qatar’s previous initiative, the International Conference on Food Justice from a Human Rights Perspective held last year, which resulted in the Doha Declaration on Food Justice. This declaration calls for creating equitable, healthy, and sustainable food systems, emphasizing the importance of human dignity, protecting the vulnerable, promoting ecological agriculture, and ensuring fair market practices that prioritize human rights over mere economic growth.

In summary, Qatar has vocally condemned the destruction of Gaza’s food systems by Israeli forces, advocating for international accountability and action for the Palestinian people. Highlighting ongoing threats to the right to food, Qatar underscores the necessity of establishing sustainable food systems rooted in human rights. The culmination of these efforts was marked by the Doha Declaration on Food Justice, emphasizing a holistic approach to food security.

Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com