Riyadh: In a demonstration of Qatar’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is set to participate in an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The summit has been organized in response to increasing Israeli aggression in Palestine and Lebanon, prompting leaders from Arab and Islamic nations to discuss strategies to halt the violence, protect civilians, and support the affected Palestinian and Lebanese populations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the summit aims to unify positions among Arab and Islamic nations and to press the international community for concrete actions to end hostilities, ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region. The State of Qatar has long been at the forefront of efforts to defend the Palestinian people against acts of ethnic cleansing and is committed to preventing the erasure of the Palestinian cause and the forced displacement of Gaza residents.
During the 79th session of the United Nations
General Assembly in New York in September, HH the Amir highlighted the severity of the aggression faced by Palestinians in Gaza, labeling it as a crime of genocide. He stressed that the ongoing conflict should not be mistaken for a war in the traditional sense but rather seen as an unjust onslaught against a besieged population.
HH the Amir reiterated Qatar’s opposition to violence against civilians by any party, emphasizing that continued claims of Israel’s right to self-defense under the current circumstances are untenable. He criticized the lack of international intervention in the face of well-documented reports of bombings and civilian harm, calling it a significant moral failure.
In October, at the First European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Brussels, HH the Amir condemned the ongoing war crimes in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. He called for a ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestinian st
ate with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.
The upcoming summit follows resolutions from the previous Arab-Islamic meeting held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023, which condemned the Israeli actions in Gaza and emphasized the need for humanitarian relief and international accountability. The resolutions called for breaking the siege on Gaza and supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The Joint Arab-Islamic Summit has urged the Security Council to impose a halt to the aggression and advocated for an international move to revive the peace process. A ministerial committee was tasked with international advocacy to halt the war in Gaza and pressure for a serious political process to achieve comprehensive peace.
Meetings with global leaders have emphasized the need for immediate military de-escalation, humanitarian aid access, and reviving peace efforts that guarantee Palestinian rights. The committee has rejected actions undermining the two-state
solution and highlighted the crimes committed against the Palestinian people, including restrictions on basic resources and freedoms.
The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have long focused on the Palestinian issue. The OIC, established in 1969 following the Al-Aqsa Mosque fire, has held numerous summits addressing these concerns. Qatar has hosted significant summits, advocating for Palestine and broader Islamic issues.
The upcoming summit in Riyadh represents a critical moment for Arab and Islamic nations to solidify their stance and work towards a just and lasting peace in the region.