Latest news with #Al-Thani
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dermer holds first phone call with Qatari PM on hostage deal efforts
US envoy Steve Witkoff attempted to arrange a meeting between Dermer and Al-Thani, but it never came to fruition. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who leads Israel's negotiating team in hostage talks, spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on the phone over the weekend, a source familiar with the matter told Walla on Tuesday. Sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that this was the first direct contact between the two. Al-Thani is considered a key mediator between Israel and Hamas in the ongoing negotiations. Dermer's office declined to comment on the matter. The Post previously reported that US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attempted to arrange a meeting between Dermer and Al-Thani after Dermer took office, but it never came to fruition. A source familiar with the details said the conversation aimed to eliminate any 'broken telephone' issues between the parties and ensure that Al-Thani fully understood Israel's position before his scheduled meetings with senior Hamas officials in Doha. Following the conversation with Dermer, Al-Thani met with Hamas leaders to discuss the negotiations. Over the weekend, Hamas announced its readiness to begin 'proximity talks' with Israel to address the remaining disputes regarding the hostage deal and the ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli officials, however, noted that despite Hamas's declaration, the group has so far refused to negotiate on the basis of Witkoff's proposal and continues to maintain its previous position rejecting the plan. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said it would not send a delegation to Qatar after Hamas requested changes to the deal outlined by Witkoff. However, an Israeli official said that "negotiations have not stopped, efforts of the mediators will continue."
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump conveniently forgets issues with Qatar. Price? One jet
History tells a different story. Eight years ago, during the first year of Trump's first term, he took his first overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, where he openly embraced that country in a dispute with Qatar. Trump, after that 2017 trip, cast Qatar as a hotbed for terrorist organizations. "The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level, and in the wake of that conference, nations came together and spoke to me about confronting Qatar over its behavior," Trump said at the White House in June 2019 after he returned from the Middle East. Those comments came two days after Trump posted on the social media site then known as Twitter: "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!" Trump and Qatar now have strong motivations to rewrite that history. Qatar wants influence with Trump, who wants a fancy jumbo jet that measures up when parked next to the luxury rides enjoyed by Gulf State rulers. Trump doesn't want us to forget all the things he said about Qatar To hear Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's prime minister, tell it now, there's never been any friction between his country and Trump. He told CNN this during a May 14 interview: "I don't see any controversy." That's a convenient blind spot for Al-Thani, who looked and sounded uncomfortable with the topic. He has similar perception problems with history. "Why would we buy an influence in the United States?" he asked CNN. "If you look just in the last 10 years in the US-Qatar relationship. Qatar has been always there for the US, when it's needed, whether it's on the war against terror, whether it's in the evacuation of Afghanistan, whether it's on releasing hostages from different, different countries around the world." Opinion: All Trump does is win, win, win (in his head, head, head ...) Just before leaving Qatar on May 15, Trump took his own shot at recasting the history of the relationship, suggesting America has been in long-term lockstep with that country, just like with Saudi Arabia. Trump's comments, circulated by the White House media operation, did not mention his very public siding with Saudi Arabia against Qatar eight years ago. Al-Thani told CNN his country would withdraw the gift if it is deemed illegal by Trump's government. Trump's press secretary on May 12 said those details "are still being worked out." Trump has shown considerably less discretion here, reposting social media comments from supporters who compare the $400 million jet with Britain's 1880 gift of the Resolute Desk used by American presidents and France's 1886 gift of The Statue of Liberty. Republicans don't worry about the Constitution or ethics One difference here: Trump didn't try to take the Resolute Desk or the Statue of Liberty with him when he left office in January 2021. But that's exactly what he wants to do with the Qatari jet. He claims it will go to his presidential library and that he won't fly on it for personal trips. Trump is good at making promises and bad at keeping them. As for legality, who is going to stop Trump here? The U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause says a president needs "the consent of Congress" to accept a gift from a foreign country. But Trump's second administration has shown little interest in following the Constitution or orders from federal judges who insist on it. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has already signed off on the gift. Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on May 14 asked for her memo about the gift and the names of any Department of Justice ethics officials who reviewed it. There's good cause for that: Bondi, before Trump picked her for AG, was on a team of lobbyists who represented Qatar in Washington on a $115,000 monthly contract. And the Department of Justice, under her leadership, has been firing career officials who focus on ethics. Democrats on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on May 14 introduced a resolution, demanding that Trump follow the Constitution's emoluments clause. Like their colleagues in the Senate, those Democrats are in the minority and lack meaningful power in Congress to stymie Trump for now. Some Congressional Republicans have shown discomfort with Trump's pending gift, but not enough to actually act like a co-equal branch of our government with the power to hold an executive in check. Opinion: I asked Team Trump why they now hate a 'woke' bill he himself signed into law Trump knows how to dodge accountability. He's done it before. Trump sees all this, and I'm betting he'll use his most successful tactic: running out the clock. Remember, Trump faced all sorts of federal and state criminal troubles while out of office, including a conviction on 34 felonies in New York. But getting reelected as president pressed pause on all that. Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on people, power and policies in the time of Trump from columnist Chris Brennan. Get it delivered to your inbox. Trump has also run out the clock on emoluments. Maryland and the District of Columbia sued him during his first term for profiting from foreign countries spending big at a Washington hotel his private company then controlled. As Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, noted on May 14, his nonpartisan law and policy organization agreed with Maryland and the District of Columbia on the suit about the Trump International Hotel. "That case got tied up in court, and in 2021, the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed it since Trump was no longer president," Waldman wrote. Sounds like Trump's endgame, right? Take the jet, thumb his nose (as always) at the Constitution, count on the feckless and fearful Republicans in Congress to do nothing, and laugh off the Democrats who try to stop him. Sure, there will likely be lawsuits. Democrats, if they can win back one or both chambers in Congress next year, might even try to impeach him for a third time on this issue. Trump's constant thrum of emails seeking donations from supporters routinely cites the possibility of a third impeachment. That will all take time. By then, Trump may be laughing at 30,000 feet in his "palace in the sky" about how America repeatedly let him game our system. Unless, of course, this time we don't. Follow USA TODAY columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByCrisBrennan. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here.
Mint
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Why would we buy influence?' — Qatar PM hits back at critics over jet offer to Donald Trump
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has dismissed growing criticism over a proposed plan for Qatar to provide a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to the US government—an aircraft that US President Donald Trump has said will serve as a temporary Air Force One and eventually be donated to his presidential library. Sheikh Al-Thani, speaking to CNN on Wednesday (May 14), firmly rejected allegations of influence-peddling, saying, 'This is a very simple government-to-government dealing… It has nothing to do with personnel, whether it's on the US side or the Qatari side. It's Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense.' The deal has drawn scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans. Al-Thani pushed back strongly against that narrative: 'Why would we buy an influence in the United States?' he asked. 'If you look just in the last 10 years in the US-Qatar relationship, Qatar has always been there for the US when it's needed—whether it's on the war against terror, whether it's in the evacuation of Afghanistan, whether it's on releasing hostages from different countries around the world.' The Qatari prime minister also confirmed that the matter is still under legal examination and emphasised that the deal would be cancelled if it was found to breach any laws. 'We will not do anything illegal,' Al-Thani said. 'If there's something illegal here, there would be many ways to hide these kinds of transactions that wouldn't be visible to the public. This is a very clear exchange between two governments. I don't see any controversy.' Trump, for his part, has repeatedly defended his intention to accept the aircraft. On Sunday, he posted on Truth Social describing the aircraft as a 'GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE' to the US Defense Department. On Tuesday, he doubled down, saying anyone who wouldn't accept such a donation would be a 'FOOL,' and claimed it would be 'stupid' to reject a free plane. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue on Monday, saying the legal framework for the transfer is still being developed. 'Any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law,' Leavitt said during a press briefing. The Boeing 747-8 in question is reportedly one of several aircraft Qatar had acquired for state use but never fully integrated into official service.
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First Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Not a personal gift: Qatar PM clarifies Trump jet row, calls it 'govt-to-govt' transaction
Trump's desire to accept a $400 million airplane from Qatar has been slammed by Republicans and Democrats alike, with many dubbing it an illegal foreign donation and national security threat read more Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has said he 'does not see any controversy' surrounding US President Donald Trump's plan to accept a Boeing 747-8 from his country that will be reportedly used as Air Force One. Talking to CNN, Al-Thani said, 'This is a very simple government-to-government dealing. It has nothing to do with personnel, whether it's on the US side or the Qatari side. It's Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's desire to accept a $400 million airplane from Qatar has been slammed by Republicans and Democrats alike, with many dubbing it an illegal foreign donation and national security threat. More from World Inside story of how India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire Earlier this week, the US President said that it would be 'stupid' for him to refuse Qatar's offer that will be later used as the jet American presidents travel on when they fly around the globe. The Qatari jet will be donated to Trump's library after he leaves office, essentially meaning that only the Republican leader will have the privilege to travel in the Qatari plane. 'Won't do anything illegal' On fears of a possible influence tactic played by Qatar on the US, Al-Thani said, 'Why would we buy an influence in the United States? If you look just in the last 10 years in the US-Qatar relationship. Qatar has been always there for the US, when it's needed, whether it's on the war against terror, whether it's in the evacuation of Afghanistan, whether it's on releasing hostages from different, different countries around the world.' When asked if he would withdraw the offer if it were deemed illegal, the prime minister said, 'Yeah, of course.' As per CNN, the matter of the Boeing jet from Qatar is 'under review'. 'We will not do anything illegal. If there something illegal here, there would be many ways to hide these kind of transactions when will not be visible for the public. This is a very clear exchange that's happening between two governments,' Al-Thani added. Qatar signs more Boeing planes to US Meanwhile, Boeing landed its biggest deal for widebody airplanes on Wednesday when state carrier Qatar Airways placed firm orders for 160 jetliners plus options to buy 50 more during Trump's visit to the Gulf Arab country. The deal for Boeing 777x and 787 planes with GE Aerospace engines was worth $96 billion, according to the White House. It is a win for Trump on a high-profile visit to the region, even though it will be years before the jets are delivered. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sale is also a boost for Boeing and its biggest engine supplier at a time when large versions of rival Airbus' A350, powered by Rolls-Royce engines, have struggled with maintenance problems from operating in the world's hottest climates, including the Gulf region. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Qatari prime minister dismisses controversy surrounding Trump plan to accept gifted jet
The Qatari prime minister and minister of foreign affairs dismissed controversy surrounding President Donald Trump's plan to accept from his country a Boeing 747-8 to be used initially as Air Force One, telling CNN it's simply a 'government-to-government transaction,' not a personal gift to Trump. 'This is a very simple government-to-government dealing,' Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said Wednesday in an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, adding that the matter was 'still under legal review.' Al-Thani would not confirm if a Qatari official approached Trump with an offer to help, as Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News. 'It is a government-to-government transaction,' Al-Thani said. 'It has nothing to do with personnel, whether it's on the US side or the Qatari side. It's Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense.' The potential transfer of the jet – which Trump has said would be donated to his library after he leaves office – has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike, with some of Trump's own supporters pointing to the appearance that Qatar is influence peddling. Republican Mike Rounds, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he has security concerns about the potential acceptance of the Qatari jet, likening it to a modern-day version of the Trojan horse. Another Republican member of that panel, Sen. John Cornyn, said he would also have concerns with Trump accepting the plane. Al-Thani said ultimately, if the United States needs something and it's legal, the Qataris will help, but not because they seek anything in return. 'Why would we buy an influence in the United States? If you look just in the last 10 years in the US-Qatar relationship. Qatar has been always there for the US, when it's needed, whether it's on the war against terror, whether it's in the evacuation of Afghanistan, whether it's on releasing hostages from different, different countries around the world,' Al-Thani said. However, Al-Thani said 'yeah, of course' the offer would be withdrawn if it were deemed illegal. 'We will not do anything illegal. If there something illegal here, there would be many ways to hide these kind of transactions when will not be visible for the public. This is a very clear exchange that's happening between two governments,' he said. 'I don't see any controversy.' Trump, too, has repeatedly defended his plan to accept the jet. On Sunday, Trump characterized the move as a 'GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE' to the US Defense Department and he suggested in another post on Tuesday that anyone who wouldn't accept the 747 would be a 'FOOL.' He's repeatedly returned to that point, saying he would be a 'stupid person' to turn down a free gift. Experts say it will cost potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to convert the aircraft into Air Force One, including work to ensure high-level security, communications and defense capabilities. Pressed by a reporter on Monday if Qatar has asked for anything in return for the 747, Trump expressed disappointment in Boeing for the delay of an order he previously signed for a new Air Force One jet. Trump has also said he believed the gift is a 'gesture of good faith' and that he would not use it after his term ends. 'Someday it will be like Ronald Regan. They decommission them,' Trump said. 'It'll go to my library. They're talking going to my library in years out.' Democrats have particularly sounded the alarm about potential ethical problems, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer put a blanket hold on Justice Department political nominees until he gets more information on the Qatari plane. That hold will slow down Senate confirmations, but Republicans can confirm them without Democratic help. Aboard Air Force One Wednesday, Trump attacked Schumer, saying 'there's something wrong' with him. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the legal details are 'still being worked out' and 'any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law.' CNN reported Wednesday that the Justice Department's internal legal advisers cleared a memo signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi endorsing the legality of Trump accepting a 747-8 luxury jet from Qatar, according to a DOJ official. Bondi previously lobbied on behalf of the Qatari government when she worked for Ballard Partners. Dick Durbin, the highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Justice Department questioning whether Bondi should have recused herself. Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's media attaché to the US, said Sunday that 'the possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense, but the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.' CNN's Morgan Rimmer, Hannah Rabinowitz, Alejandra Jaramillo, Manu Raju, Alison Main, and Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report.
