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Exceptional Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha to Address Israeli Aggression Against Qatar
Amid recent escalation, particularly the Israeli attack on Qatar, Arab and Islamic countries decided to convene an extraordinary summit in the Qatari capital, Doha. The aim is to send a strong and clear message in facing the aggression, safeguarding Qatar’s security, and strengthening Arab and Islamic solidarity with Qatar’s stance and the Palestinian cause.
The summit comes just days after the incident, amid delicate circumstances marked by divergent regional and international interests. Observers see this event as a significant turning point that requires a unified stance from Arab and Islamic nations to deter escalation risks and protect regional stability.
During preparatory meetings, foreign ministers of participating countries emphasized that Qatar’s security is an integral part of Arab and Islamic national security. They condemned the Israeli attack as a blatant violation of international law, threatening regional stability and increasing escalation.
Officials viewed the attack as an attempt to undermine Arab unity and destabilize security, calling for decisive and unified measures to defend Qatar. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reaffirmed that his country will not tolerate any threats to its security, describing the aggression as a serious precedent that must be confronted firmly.
In his speech, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, conveyed a firm stance, emphasizing that the summit sends a clear message: full solidarity with Qatar in confronting the aggression. He described the attack as “cowardly and treacherous,” stressing the importance of Arab and Islamic unity as a decisive response to violations.
The summit’s final statement covered several key points, including:
- Condemnation of the Israeli aggression against Qatar: as a violation of international law and a direct attack on Arab and Islamic efforts.
- Full solidarity with Qatar: emphasizing that defending the Gulf state is a collective Arab and Islamic duty.
- Rejection of attempts to annex Palestinian land and displace residents: focusing on the centrality of the Palestinian issue, supporting a two-state solution, and backing the New York resolution.
- Commending Qatar’s responsible and measured موقف: reflecting prudent diplomacy and adherence to international law.
- Warnings over the absence of decisive international responses: which could open the door for further Israeli escalation, emphasizing the need for strict practical actions to confront ongoing attacks.
What was notably highlighted by Motaz Ahmedin Khalil, former Egyptian UN ambassador, during his interview with “Al-Tass” on Sky News Arabia, is that the strong words in the statement reflect the current situation but require tangible practical steps, such as economic and trade sanctions, to effectively deter Israel. He added that previous political stances were insufficient to create real deterrence.
Ultimately, challenges remain, and a firm international community stance is necessary to deter future attacks and protect the interests of Arab and Islamic states.
