Qatari leader condemns ‘blatant aggression’ against Palestinians
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called Israel’s attack on Gaza “the most barbaric, heinous and extensive aggression, violating human values, international conventions and norms”.
“We oppose violence and the targeting of innocent civilians by any party. But after a year of this war and with all that has taken place and continues to take place, it is no longer tenable to talk about Israel’s ‘right to defend itself’ in this context without being complicit in justifying the crime,” Sheikh Tamim said.
“It is no longer plausible for any official to claim they do not know. The facts are well known: reports issued by international organisations about the bombing of schools and hospitals, weaponising access to food and medicine, in addition to the published and publicly uttered intentions of Israeli leaders.
“Therefore, the failure to intervene to stop the aggression is a major scandal.”
‘Illusions of making peace’ without just solution for the Palestinians
The Palestinian cause will not be marginalised and go away through the “disappearance of the Palestinian people”, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says.
“Every year I stand on this podium and I begin by talking about the Palestinian cause, the absence of justice, the perils of believing that it can be neglected, and the illusions of making peace without a just solution to the Palestinian cause,” Sheikh Tamim said.
“There are those who are tempted by the possibility of marginalising this issue to get rid of its burden. But the Palestinian cause is resistant to marginalisation because it is an issue of Indigenous people on their own land, a people who are subjected to a settler-colonial occupation.
“It seems there are those in Israel who entertain wishful thinking to eliminate the Palestinian people,” he said.
“The ongoing Israeli aggression for nearly a year is nothing but a result of the absence of a sincere political will, a deliberate international failure to resolve the Palestinian issue with a just solution, and insistence of the occupying Israel parties to impose a fait accompli on the Palestinians and the world.”
Qatari leader condemns Haniyeh assassination, will continue mediation efforts
The Qatari leader’s speech has focused heavily on the war in Gaza. Qatar has been one of the main mediators in ceasefire talks.
Sheikh Tamim condemned the Israeli assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, the lead Hamas negotiator in talks. Despite those challenges Qatar “will continue our efforts of mediation to resolve the disputes through peaceful means”.
“We will not achieve this goal except with a serious partner who is aware of the importance of renouncing this war and ending the occupation and all forms of aggression so we can reach together the desired peace in the Middle East,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He further condemned last week’s device attacks on Lebanon, in which thousands of electronic devices were detonated “with total disregard for their identity or location”.
“Israel is currently waging a war on Lebanon, and no one knows to what extent this war could escalate. This is what we have repeatedly warned against.”
Qatar continues to seek peace in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Ukraine
Sheikh Tamim concluded his address saying Doha will work for peace across the Middle East and beyond.
He pointed to Qatari-led efforts to secure a US-Venezuela prisoner swap and to reunite Ukrainian children with their families.
“We affirm the state of Qatar will spare no effort in working with its international partners and the United Nations to firmly consolidate the pillars of peace, security, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law – at all levels – and to address global challenges to achieve a better future for all.”
