The Qatari Emir expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s backers for granting it a “free license to kill” in the conflict with Hamas and questioned the outcome of the war, while also calling for international action to address the dangerous escalation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Qatari ruler hit out at Israel’s backers Tuesday, charging they had given it a “free license to kill” in its war with Hamas and questioning what the conflict would achieve.
Major powers, including the United States, Britain, and France, have rallied to support Israel and affirmed its right to defend itself after this month’s deadly attack by the Palestinian Islamist group.
“We are saying enough is enough,” Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani told a meeting of the Shura Council, Qatar’s legislative body, according to a translation released by the royal court.
“It is untenable for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and free license to kill, nor is it tenable to continue ignoring the reality of occupation, siege, and settlement.”
Qatar, a US ally that hosts a large US military base, also hosts an office of Hamas, which doubles as the principal residence of its self-exiled leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The wealthy Gulf monarchy has acted as a communications channel with Hamas and is playing a key role in negotiations to release the hostages, with four freed so far.
“It should not be allowed in our time to use cutting off water and preventing medicine and food as weapons against an entire population,” the emir said, referring to Israel’s siege of Gaza.
“We call for an earnest regional and international stance vis-a-vis this dangerous escalation that we are witnessing, and which threatens the security of the region and the world.”
He added: “We would like to ask those who have aligned with the war and those acting to gag any dissenting opinion: what would come in the aftermath of this war?”
“Would it bring security and stability to Israelis and Palestinians? Where would the Palestinians head for afterward?”
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States have all visited Israel since the October 7 attack.
Gabriela De La Cruz, with AFP
