Qatar has been the first country to help oppressed Arab people who are victims of lack of justice, marginalisation and the spread of corruption ever since Arab revolutions erupted in different Arab societies. This support for afflicted people has not come from nowhere. On the contrary, it came from the strong positions of the wise leadership of Qatar toward these people.
Both under the Father Emir and the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has not and does not only defend these people for the sake of it. This support was and still is a calculated one, aiming at bringing the desired freedoms for all Arab people. This freedom could not be found in Arab societies for decades.
Arab people saw a flicker of hope to enjoy these freedoms in the revolutions that erupted in their countries.
Qatar was also the first country to defend the Palestinian people when Israel launched its aggression against them in 2008/2009. Qatar did everything possible then so that the Palestinian people could enjoy their rights. The Father Emir called then for holding an emergency Arab summit with the aim of putting an end to Israeli aggressions on the Gaza Strip and stop the shedding of Palestinian blood. The position of the Father Emir bore witness to the honourable positions of the state of Qatar in defending justice.
When Israel staged its second aggression on the Gaza Strip in 2014, The Emir took the initiative of denouncing this unequal war both at the level of troop numbers and weaponry. He called on international organisations to take a courageous decision to stop the Israeli war against our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
The war then came to an end with victory for the Palestinians and defeat for the Israeli army. This defeat was manifest in the refusal of Israeli troops to be part of the ground operation on the Gaza Strip, knowing that this ground operation could cost the Israeli army hundreds of lives, because its troops could never match the combat skills of Palestinian fighters on the ground. Almost two weeks ago, Qatar had registered yet a new honourable position by donating $1bn for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The Qatari donation was by far very large, compared with donations made by other countries.
This position, however, made Qatar to be seen as a country that is small geographically, but one that is large in diplomacy.
It made it an effective player on the Arab and international stages.
Several politicians and diplomats lauded the Qatari position toward the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, especially given that Qatar does nothing but offer support for afflicted peoples.
This position is derived from Qatar’s noble political values and moderate policies which know no discrimination.
“Israel maintains its violations against the Palestinians,” Sheikh Tamim said during the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago. “It [Israel] challenges international conventions and pains the conscience of the world by targeting civilians, who include children, elderly people and infants,” he added.
The Emir added: “Israel’s actions are identified as “war crimes” in international law.”
He said Israel challenged the will of the international community by targeting Palestinians, noting that occupation would surely come to an end.
“We will not tire in offering support for our Palestinian brothers,” The Emir said. “Israel’s aggressions and blockade caused the destruction of infrastructure in the Gaza Strip,” he added.
He said Israel’s intransigence made it necessary for the UN Security Council to put a special focus on international legitimacy and stay away from discrimination. The Emir also called on the Security Council to issue a binding resolution for Israel to pull out to the pre-1967 borders.
“The role of the United Nations is linked with developments on the world’s political stage,” The Emir said. “It is linked with the prevention of disputes and solving these disputes by peaceful means through serious dialogue, and respecting human rights and the rights of people,” he added.
