The Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Says Qatar Supports De-escalation Efforts in Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Says Qatar Supports De-escalation Efforts in Occupied Palestinian Territories

New York / Information Office  / May 20  

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held today a ministerial, coordination Arab meeting, to discuss the developments of the crisis in Palestine.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended the meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also gave a speech during the UN General Assembly on developments in the Middle-East and Palestine, and said that the dangerous situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Al Quds, and the bombardment of deadly weapons on unarmed civilians and their homes, which led to the death of dozens, including women and children, requires the international community to act urgently to stop the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people And the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and prevent its recurrence, adding that it also requires showing the respect to the Hashemite guardianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over Al Aqsa Mosque.

He added that the State of Qatar has repeatedly warned of the dangers of Judaization policies in the city of Al Quds, and the attempts to harm Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially the Haram Al Sharif, pointing out that despite warnings and widespread condemnation by the international community in recent months for the Israeli authorities and Israeli settlers attack on Palestinian residents of Al Quds and seizing their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, the rate of Judaization and settlement increased to a stage that can only be described as ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians, and the occupation forces have repeatedly stormed the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and intimidated worshipers without any regard for the sanctity of the blessed month of Ramadan, which led to fueling the situation.

His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar has reiterated its complete rejection and condemnation of the Israeli police and settlers' attacks on Jerusalemites in the Damascus Gate area of the Haram Al Sharif, the use of violence against defenseless civilians, the setting up of barriers to rob them of their religious rights, and the Israeli occupation forces stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and brutally assaulted worshipers. He added that these unlawful practices, many of which amount to war crimes, constitute a provocation to the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of human rights, international covenants, religious laws and human values. He also emphasized the importance of committing to the international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians by avoiding their targeting or the disproportionate use of force.

His Excellency said that the State of Qatar condemns the Israeli arbitrary bombing of Gaza over the past few days, which left many civilians dead and injured, particularly in Al Shati camp which left dozens of civilian casualties, including 10 from one family, in addition to the targeting of residential which leaves dozens dead, the majority of which are children. His Excellency said that the State of Qatar also strongly condemns and denounces the targeting of the headquarters of Qatar Red Crescent Society in Gaza, and stresses that the targeting of humanitarian and media organizations is a flagrant violation of international law.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani then wondered whether the international community will move to support the Palestinian people's rights and stop Israeli from continuing with its arbitrary and unilateral policies of Judaizing Al Quds and changing its demographics, in addition to the ongoing settlement policy, violation of holy places, and the unjust siege on Gaza.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the failure of the Security Council to achieve international legitimacy regarding the Palestinian issue deals a blow to its credibility of the United Nations in achieving its main goal, which is the achievement of international peace and security, and called on the international community to work harder and assume its responsibility to provide protection for the Palestinian people in an urgent and immediate manner, to stop the Israeli attacks and all illegal practices, and to enable the Palestinian people from obtaining all their legitimate rights, including their religious rights.

His Excellency added that Qatar warned repeatedly of deterioration in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it should have been a motivation to intensify efforts to reach a peaceful, just, permanent, and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue through negotiations based on a two-state solution based on international law, international resolutions, the Arab Initiative for Peace, and the Quarter on the Middle-East, in order to establish an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967 with East Al Quds as its Capital and reach a fair resolution to the refugees issue.

He explained that the position of the State of Qatar has been and will always be to support all sincere international efforts to achieve real progress towards a permanent settlement of the Middle East issue. In the wake of the current events, the State of Qatar, based on its firm policy of the need to settle disputes and differences by peaceful means, including through dialogue and mediation, has made intensive diplomatic efforts to reduce the escalation in Al Quds and the Gaza Strip, in coordination with the United Nations and international and regional actors. His Excellency added that the State of Qatar appreciates all efforts being made to de-escalate the situation, highlighting in particular the role of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Tunisia the non-permanent member of UN Security Council, and the United States.

His Excellency stressed the importance of achieving the desired goals of today's meeting by having the international community engage to achieve sustainable peace in the Middle-East, which requires ending any attack on Islamic and Christian sanctities, in addition to stopping the settlement and displacement policies in the occupied territories, and ending the attacks on Gaza and starting the rebuilding process.

He noted that the current events must push the international community towards showing more seriousness in reaching a just, comprehensive, and fair settlement to the Palestinian cause, and establish a Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967 with East Al Quds as the capital.

His Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle, and its firm position from the fairness of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people's rights. He thanked the UN General Assembly for the official session held to deal with an urgent matter that requires an immediate response from the international community. He also thanked the UN Secretary-General.