When US allies gathered in Paris a few days ago to seek international support for the Syrian people, the Middle East peace process was on top of the agenda.
US Secretary of State John Kerry took the opportunity to inform Arab League officials and his Arab counterparts of the latest developments in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians — the talks resumed on July 29 — to rally support for the process.
In a joint press conference with Qatar’s Foreign Minister, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Kerry expected Qatar to express its approval of what we call an “unfair” and “unworthy” peace process.
Qatar, represented by Al Attiyah, refused to approve of the peace initiative unless it was a fair and effective peace process that did not compromise Palestinians’ right to their homeland, life and the Al Aqsa mosque, with emphasis on ceasing the construction of settlements, which hider the peace negotiations.
When the representative of Qatar made it clear that the construction of Jewish settlements was an obstacle to any progress in the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, Secretary of State Kerry was shocked by what he heard and it clearly showed on his face.
Qatar’s stand, no doubt, acquires greater importance since it was declared at a key meeting attended by many countries.
The meeting aimed to rally support for punishing the Syrian regime for using banned chemical weapons against civilians. Despite this, opinions varied on the issue during the G-20 Summit, which was held in St Petersburg in Russia.
However, what needs to be noted is the frankness that marked Attiyah’s speech, in which he described Israel’s actions as “aggressions”, “obstacles” and a “source of concern”.
Kerry wanted to take advantage of the sizable Arab presence in the meeting and their enthusiasm for punishing the Syrian regime to get the open support he wants and approval for his plan. At that time he was planning to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in London and then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to resume peace talks suspended for three years.
The result of the Paris meeting on the Palestinian issue is actually the most important thing to know about the meeting. Apart from thanking the US president and Secretary of State Kerry, Qatar was keen to drive home the point that it was not a tool for implementing US policies in the Middle East.
This is why it is important to note that Qatar’s membership in international coalitions and its diplomacy on the inflamed situation in the Arab world shed light on its steadfast policies and stance on the Arab world’s fateful issues.
