Qatar strongly rejects inflammatory statements by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office
According to a report by Reuters, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office made statements against Qatar on 3 May 2025, to "stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if it's on the side of civilization or if it's on the side of Hamas".
Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the State of Qatar's firm rejection of the inflammatory remarks issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, describing them as lacking the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility. He stated that portraying the continued aggression on Gaza as a defense of "civilization" echoes the rhetoric of regimes throughout history that have used false narratives to justify crimes against innocent civilians.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Ansari explained that since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip, the State of Qatar has worked in close coordination with its partners to support mediation efforts aimed at ending the fighting, protecting civilians, and securing the release of hostages and detainees. He added, "A legitimate question must be raised: were no fewer than 138 hostages released through so-called 'just' military operations, or through the very mediation that is now being unjustly criticized and undermined?"
He further noted, "Meanwhile, the Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of modern times—marked by a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion. Is this truly the model of 'civilization' being promoted?"
Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari's statement on X:
The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility. Portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of 'civilization'…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) May 3, 2025
The statement reads:
The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility. Portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of 'civilization' echoes the rhetoric of regimes throughout history that have used false narratives to justify crimes against innocent civilians.
Since the outbreak of the war, the State of Qatar working in close coordination with its partners has made every effort to support mediation aimed at ending the fighting, protecting civilians, and securing the release of hostages. A legitimate question must be raised: Were the releases of no fewer than 138 hostages achieved through so called 'just' military operations, or through the very mediation that is now being unjustly criticized and undermined?
Meanwhile, the Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of modern times marked by a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion. Is this truly the model of 'civilization' being promoted?
The State of Qatar's principled foreign policy is not at odds with its role as a credible and impartial mediator. Campaigns of distortion and political pressure will not deter Qatar from standing with oppressed peoples, defending the rights of civilians regardless of background, and upholding international law without selectivity or exception.
The State of Qatar continues to work closely with both the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America to secure an immediate ceasefire, ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, and advance a just and lasting peace one grounded in justice and humanity, not violence and double standards.
The State of Qatar reaffirms its unwavering belief that genuine peace can only be achieved through a comprehensive and just settlement based on international legitimacy one that ends the occupation and guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Sources: Reuters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari
Cover image credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Israel deports 4 from intercepted Gaza-bound Madleen; others held
Israel has deported Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and three others, a day after seizing the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship on which she was sailing in a crew of 12. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thunberg flew out of Tel Aviv early on Tuesday, bound for Sweden via France, and released her photos on the flight. Upon arriving in Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, Thunberg told reporters she and her companions had been 'kidnapped in international waters'. Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler, who was among the journalists interviewing Thunberg at the Paris airport, said, 'She clearly looked very tired and was in the same clothes she was wearing when she was detained … This has been quite a difficult number of hours for her.' While Thunberg said she was 'OK', she described being treated in a 'dehumanising way' by Israeli authorities, said Butler. However, she emphasised that her brief detention was nothing compared with what Palestinians regularly endure under Israeli occupation, Butler added. According to the legal rights group Adalah, which is representing Thunberg and the other activists and a journalist who sailed in the Madleen vessel towards Gaza, she was among four crew members who accepted deportation. The remaining crew members will remain in Israeli custody before appearing before judicial authorities. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said five of those subject to forced deportation proceedings are French nationals who have received consular support. One of them is French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan, who refused to sign a document stating she had entered Israeli territory illegally, according to French lawmaker Clemence Guette. Large rallies have taken place in France and other countries to protest against Israel's interception of the Madleen and the crew's detention. It was carrying humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, to Gaza, in a bid to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave. On Tuesday, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirmed the status of those who were aboard the Madleen. (Agencies)
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Philippines-Qatar ties spanmultiple sectors: Envoy
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha The Philippines engagements with Qatari friends and partners cut across a wide range of issues and sectors, providing depth to the robust bilateral relations between Manila and Doha, Ambassador of Philippines to Qatar HE Mardomel Celo D Melicor has said. He added that the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's historic state visit to the Philippines in 2024, the recent political consultation meeting in Manila in May 2025, and other joint engagements on issues that cover labour, economic, transport and cultural relations, point to greater things ahead as 'we are set to celebrate 45 years of formal diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations next year.' The Philippines envoy was speaking on the occasion of 127th anniversary of declaration of independence celebrations reception hosted by him on Wednesday. Present on the occasion were Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, Director of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, HE Mohamed Bahrin Paduka Haji Abu Bakar, dean of Asean Ambassadors group and ambassador of Brunei, dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corp and guests. Ambassador Melicor said that on the multilateral front, the Philippines continues to play its role as a responsible, trusted, and reliable actor in an increasingly complex and globalising world, one where a rules-based international order is held paramount. 'As a maritime and archipelagic country, the Philippines believes that maritime governance, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, is an area of common action. As such, we continue to assert the rule of law and strengthen partnerships to ensure that Philippine sovereignty is preserved in its waters, and that peace at sea and freedom of navigation are guaranteed,' he said. He added, 'With respect to the crisis in the Middle East region, we remain committed to supporting multilateral efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the war in Gaza. The Philippines calls for the full, safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip. 'We believe that the provision of humanitarian assistance must remain under the leadership of the United Nations and other internationally mandated actors, based on impartial needs assessments and guided by the principles of neutrality and humanity. Along this line, I am pleased to inform you that last year, in firm solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Philippines doubled its voluntary annual financial contribution to UNRWA to support the agency's critical life-saving work.' Local Philippines schoolchildren engaged and attracted the guests with their skilled performances.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar holds ‘Narratives for Peace' meeting with Canada and Mexico
QNA New York Qatar held a consultative meeting with Canada and Mexico, co-chairs of the Working Group on 'Narratives for Peace', which was established as part of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The meeting took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani represented Qatar at the meeting. Discussions focused on the importance of promoting peace-supportive narratives to foster a positive environment conducive to advancing peace efforts and to strengthening prospects for a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two-state solution.
