Proposal to dismiss envoys to Arab countries

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 19: In response to the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, MP Hamdan Al-Azmi revealed that he, along with several of his colleagues, intends to submit a proposal to the Arab Parliament to hold an exceptional session for discussing the procedures to be taken concerning the Israeli attacks. Al-Azmi said the proposal will include suggestions for Arab countries to suspend supplying the USA and the West with oil, and to dismiss the American ambassadors to Arab countries due to their support towards Israel.

In a related context, the number of MPs who announced their support for the call of MP Abdul Kareem Al-Kandari to not receive the new US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara has increased to seven so far, including Al-Kandari. These MPs are Abdul Kareem Al-Kandari, Jarrah Al- Fawzan, Abdul Hadi Al-Ajmi, Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi, Hamad Al-Matar, Mubarak Al-Tasha and Bader Al-Nashmi. Meanwhile, MPs Shuaib Shaaban, Muhalhel Al-Mudhaf, Hani Shams, Osama Al-Zaid and Hamad Al-Medlej submitted a bill to amend law No. 21/1964 for boycotting Israel.

The bill adds two new articles to the aforementioned law. The first article bans individuals and legal bodies in Kuwait from showing sympathy towards Israel or its citizens. It also bans dealing with global brands that show sympathy towards Israel. The bill amends article 6 of the above-mentioned law to be as follows: “Whoever is convicted of violating articles 1, 1(bis), 2 and 3 of this law will punished by three to ten years of jail term with hard labor, and judge can impose a fine of maximum KD 5,000.

In case the convicted is a legal body, the relevant official at that legal body will be subject to the punishment. In all cases, the seized equipment and vehicles used to commit the crimes, if any, will be confiscated”. Furthermore, parliament’s Committee for Foreign Affairs invited MPs, civil society organizations and citizens to attend a meeting that is scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023 to discuss the ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza.

The committee explained that, in order to ensure the meeting is not limited to statements of condemnation and for the meeting to result in practical procedures, the committee will discuss the bills and proposals for toughening the penalties against those convicted of violating law No. 21/1964 on boycotting Israel as well as providing ideas to expose the Zionist occupation crimes as a step to globally isolate Israel.

In another development, MP Mubarak Al-Tasha disclosed that he received a copy of the report prepared by the State Audit Bureau (SAB) addressing the Ministry of Public Works. He explained that the report included the refusal of SAB to approve the tenders floated by the Ministry of Public Works for international contracting companies to execute road maintenance in Jahra and Hawally governorates.

According to the report, the reasons behind the disapproval are the discovery of major violations concerning the procedures for settling tenders in favor of specific companies, and the large gap between the offered prices and the estimated value determined by the ministry. Al-Tasha went on to explain that the report exposes the great failure of the Minister of Public Works Dr. Amani Buqamaz to manage the file of road maintenance, as well as the way she manipulates citizens’ feelings through her repetitive promises to complete the maintenance process soon in a perfect manner. After a period of one year, SAB issued this report, which is in support of his position regarding Dr. Buqamaz based on which he had earlier filed a grilling motion against her. He stressed that Dr. Buqamaz must be held responsible, and she must face the grilling motion, insisting that she cannot escape questioning by submitting her resignation.

In addition, the National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun sent a cable of congratulations to the Speaker of Saudi Consultative Council Dr. Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Shaikh on the ninth anniversary of his assumption of the office of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. Al-Saadoun praised the efforts exerted by King Salman Al-Saud in the interest of his nation as well as the interest of all Arab and Muslim nations. He hailed the progress and advancement that Saudi Arabia is currently witnessing under the rule of King Salman and with the help of His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Al-Saadoun wished the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia further prosperity and advancement.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff