Standing firmly with Palestinian brothers during recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, Qatar made hectic diplomatic efforts at the international arena to end continuous bombardment on civilian populations of Palestine. On May 10, the State of Qatar chaired an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives at the headquarters of the Arab League and discussed Israeli crimes in occupied Al Quds.
The session was held on the request of the State of Palestine to discuss Israeli crimes and aggression in the occupied Al Quds against Muslim and Christian holy sites, especially the Al Aqsa mosque, as well as attacking worshippers. Later when the security situation escalated and Israel started air raids on Gaza, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani talked to foreign ministers and other top officials of a number of countries and international organisations including the United States, Finland, Ireland, Germany, Indonesia, Egypt, the Netherlands, the United Nations to bring Israeli brutal attacks to an immediate end.
On May 15, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also met with the Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Dr. Ismail Haniya in Doha. During the meeting, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed Qatar’s position rejecting these attacks and renewed the State of Qatar’s standing by the Palestinian brothers and its categorical rejection of violating the Islamic holy sites. Qatar’s efforts to stop Israeli attacks against civilians in Gaza have also been recognised by the United Nations and the European Union. Secretary-General of the United Nations H E Antonio Guterres, praised the State of Qatar’s efforts that contributed to reaching ceasefire between Gaza Strip and Israel.
“I commend Egypt and Qatar for the efforts carried out, in close coordination with the United Nations, to help restore calm to Gaza and Israel”, the UN chief said, calling on all sides to observe the ceasefire. Like the United Nations, the European Union has also appreciated Qatar’s efforts for ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said in a statement that the European Union welcomes the announced ceasefire bringing to an end the violence in and around Gaza. “We commend Egypt, Qatar, United Nations, United States and others who have played a facilitating role in this.”
