Leaders from Arab and Muslim countries on Monday condemned last week’s Israeli airstrike on Doha, which has triggered widespread anger across the Arab world.
The joint summit sought to intensify pressure on the Israeli government, which has already been facing international pressure and criticism over its war in Gaza.
The attack, reportedly aimed at Hamas’s top leadership, failed, as all major leaders survived due to massive structural strength of the compound, which was targeted by the Israeli warplanes.
Qatari Emir and Prime Minister Muhammad Abdul Rehman bin Al Thani strongly slammed the Israeli government and accused Washington of shielding and backing what he called a “criminal regime.” Al Thani threatened that Qatar may reconsider its ties and trade deals with the United States if Washington does not put an end to such hostile actions against sovereign states.
“The time has come for the international community to stop using double standards and to punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed,” he said, adding that Israel’s “war of extermination” in Gaza would not succeed.
A draft final statement seen by sources warned that the “brutal Israeli aggression” put efforts to normalise relations at risk.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime, with backing from the United States, has been trying to extend the Abraham Accords, which established ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020.
The draft statement contains strong language, accusing Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” and warning that such actions “undermine the prospects of achieving peace and peaceful coexistence in the region.” It further added that “The actions taken by Israel undermine the progress made towards establishing normal relations with Israel, including existing and future agreements.”
This is the first time that Israel and the United States have given nearly 60 Muslim countries something to consider: creation of a joint military force like NATO to fight common challenges and threats," according to the draft.
Prominent leaders attending the summit include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are also expected to represent their countries.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Israel in a show of Washington’s unwavering support. "We've exhausted all forms of rhetoric. Now it's just going to have to be actions -- and we'll see what those actions will be," said one of the attending diplomats.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian once again reminded the bloc of the collusion and Axis between the US-Israel, saying, “they will attack everyone in the region to give Netanyahu the Greater Israel.”
He warned the Arab League about the differences that are weakening the bloc's strength and also pointed out that “Donald Trump and his administration are not friends of the Arabs but rather sworn enemies who hide behind the flashy mask.”
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