Doha, 29 Nov. 2023 (QNA)

21st edition of the Doha Forum will be held on Dec. 10-11, 2023. Forum an ideal opportunity to exchange ideas and views on the prominent regional and international issues in light of the participation of leaders of states, heads of government and ministers from various countries of the world in the forum.

It was announced at a press conference held this morning at the Diplomatic Club, Doha. Present on the occasion were Mubarak bin Ajlan Al Kuwari, Executive Director, Permanent Committee For Organizing Conferences (PCOC) and Doha Forum at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar;  Fatima Mohammed Al Baker, Director General of the Doha Forum;  and Ibrahim Sultan Al Hashmi, Director of Media and Communication Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mubarak bin Ajlan AL Kuwari said that the 2023 edition of the forum will be distinguished in terms of attendance, which brings together leaders of states, heads of government and ministers from various countries of the world, along with many decision and policymakers in various fields.

He indicated that the Doha Forum provides an important opportunity to exchange opinions, ideas, and visions related to the topics of the forum.

He stressed the State of Qatar's constant endeavor to discuss various issues through dialogue and joint cooperation, noting that the 2023 edition of the forum is distinguished by the presence of new partners from Latin America and East Asia, which indicates the expansion of the forum's base to include almost all continents of the world.

He expressed his hope that the forum would come out with distinctive results through the discussion sessions and workshops that will be held during it.

Al Kuwari highlighted that the delegates from civil societies and other sectors from various countries around the world will have an opportunity to benefit from the experiences of participants as well as exchange ideas, and build relationships with each other.

He said that with the cooperation of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Museum, variety of attractive events including site seeing, archaeological sites and various other cultural programs are inline for the participants during the 2-day long conference.

Fatima Mohammed Al Baker, Director General of Doha Forum  in her address at the press conference announced that the forum will be held on Dec. 10-11 in cooperation with various strategic and local partners as well as content makers. The conference would highlight four main axes, including International Relations and Security; Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence; Economic Development and sustainability.

She said that the forum will hold 18 main sessions and 35 side sessions related to current situations and circumstances at the regional and international levels.

Ibrahim Sultan Al Hashmi, Director of Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned about media partnerships that aim to spread the forum's message and objectives.

He called on media professionals wishing to cover the forum's activities and sessions to take the initiative to register, which is still available to them.

He noted that the forum's website will be constantly updated, which will contribute to making all details and information related to the forum and the participants available.

Doha, 28 Nov. 2023

11th edition of WISE Summit will take off today at the state of the art Qatar National Convention Center, Doha, Qatar this morning of Tuesday.

The WISE Summit 2023 brings together over 100 local, regional and international experts from diverse backgrounds, including tech innovators, AI ethicists, policymakers, and students, to create dialogues on how AI will shape the future of education.

Themed "Creative Fluency: Human Flourishing in the Age of AI," Two day summit is organised by WISE – Qatar Foundation's (QF) global platform for innovation in education – will be held for from 28-29 November, 2023. In addition to exploring how education can pave the way for a future where humans can thrive alongside AI, discussions will also revolve around AI being integrated into learning environments in a way that enhances learning experiences, fosters creativity, and prepares the next generation for a future where both educators and learners can use AI tools and systems.

WISE 11 will feature live podcasts, immersive AI experiences, interactive masterclasses, and panel discussions that address a range of topics holding significant implications for the future of education, including AI strategies that bridge educational gaps, creating inclusive learning environments tailored to diverse needs, and AI's role in progressing from traditional classroom learning to AI-influenced teaching.

The event will also raise awareness on how educators can ensure AI in education addresses ethical and socio-economic concerns and how it aligns with local values while integrating global AI advancements, as well as ensuring learners are equipped with skills for evolving roles in an ever-changing and dynamic job landscape.

Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, said:"At a time when AI is at the forefront of the global conversation, it is imperative that we consider its role in the future of education. WISE 11 provides a platform for policymakers, educators and innovators to collaboratively envision how AI can enhance the learning experience and empower individuals. WISE 11 aspires to provide inspiration and thought leadership, providing a roadmap for a future where teachers and learners can leverage AI to create transformative learning experiences."

Doha, 24 Nov 2023

12 Thai workers caught in Gaza conflict were handed over by Hamas a while before to the Red Crescent at the Rafa Crossing, Egypt followed by 13 Israeli children and women. First group of 39 Palestinians including 13 children are expected to be released by occupied forces of Israel in coming hours.

Week's long Qatar's mediation role between Hamas and Israel in cooperation with US and Egypt bringing both parties to agree to a temporary truce that would pause fighting for four days and make way for humanitarian aid to reach to Gaza hospitals and people and an exchange of captives and prisoners.

On Oct. 7, Hamas captured 239 Israelis, including high-ranking military personnel, intending to exchange them for over 7,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Since then, the Israeli military has waged a devastating war on Gaza, resulting in over 14,128 Palestinian fatalities, including 5,840 children and 3,920 women, and over 33,000 injuries, 75% of which are children and women, according to the Gaza government's media office.

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari underscored that the humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip would start on Friday morning at 7:00 am Gaza Strip local time.

In a press conference held Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to announce the details of the pause, Dr. Al Ansari said that the communications between Hamas, Israel, and the mediators have concluded, and lists of the names of those who will be released have been handed over. He indicated that the first batch of civilian hostages would be handed over at around 4:00 pm on Friday.

He revealed that around 50 Israeli hostages would be released over four days. The first batch will include 13 persons, including women and children.

The Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that extensive communications took place within the framework of reaching the form of the executive plan to implement that agreement to ensure the safe return of the hostages to their final destinations.

During the press conference, Dr. Al Ansari said that during the four days, data would be collected regarding the remaining hostages, the possibility of releasing more hostages would be considered, and work on extending the pause.

He expressed the State of Qatar's hope that this pause would contribute to finding a chance to initiate more work within the framework of achieving a permanent truce and peace.

He pointed out that the Red Cross and Palestine Red Crescent Society would be essential parts of the hostage release process. He stressed that once the humanitarian pause entered into force, the aid would start flowing through the Rafah crossing in coordination with the Egyptian side.

Since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people, Gaza has been devastated by bombardments of air and ground attacks that have left more than 14,000 Palestinians dead, mostly women and children.

On Wednesday, Israel’s government agreed to a pause in fighting that could begin as soon as Friday.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the truce is temporary and that the war will continue after it ends. However, there are numerous examples in the past century of truces that have been instrumental in ending wars – as well as many that didn’t.

Doha, 22 Nov. 2023

Doha, 18 Nov 2023

Qatar Chamber of Commerce and QatarEnergy recently signed a platinum sponsorship agreement for the ninth edition of the 'Made in Qatar’ Exhibition.

The partnership agreement was signed by Hussain Yousef Al Abdulghani, Director,  Administrative and Finance Department at the Chamber, and Lolwa Khalil Salat, Manager,  Public Relations and Communication at QatarEnergy.

Held under the Patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition is organised by the Qatar Chamber in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) from November 29 to December 2 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).

On this occasion, Hussain Yousef Al-Abdulghani expressed his gratitude to QatarEnergy for sponsoring the exhibition, praising its vital role in the national economy and its commitment to promoting and supporting the Qatari industry.

He emphasized that this sponsorship aligns with Qatar's crucial role in meeting the world's growing energy needs, especially in LNG, which has positioned Qatar as a leading provider on the global LNG map.

Al-Abdulghani highlighted the exhibition's role in promoting the Qatari industry and enhancing relations among business owners and industry leaders.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would significantly contribute to the further development of the industrial sector, especially for SMEs.

The exhibition will feature participation of 450 companies and factories, including 92 new factories, providing a platform to showcase the experiences of leading companies.

San Francisco, USA, 17 Nov 2023

Xinhua News

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday held a positive, comprehensive and constructive summit, charting the course for improving and developing bilateral ties.

At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday for a China-U.S. summit and the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The visit to San Francisco marks Xi's return to the United States after six-plus years and also signifies another face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state following last year's handshake in Bali, Indonesia.

Upon arrival at Filoli Estate, South of San Francisco, Xi was warmly received by Biden. During their four-hour-long meeting, the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development.

This is an important summit to increase trust and dispel doubts, manage differences and expand cooperation between China and the United States, and it is also an important meeting to inject certainty into and enhance stability of a volatile and changing world, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while briefing the media after the meeting.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, described the meeting as strategic, historic, and one that provides stewardship.

Candid, In-depth Exchange of Views

The historic summit came at a critical juncture when the international community presses for a stable China-U.S. relationship. Face to face, the two heads of state put forward guiding principles on the most prominent issues between the two sides, such as developing a correct understanding of each other, properly managing differences, and strengthening dialogue and cooperation.

They further discussed the right way for both countries to get along with each other, clarified their shared responsibilities as major countries, and mapped out the direction and blueprint for the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

Calling the Xi-Biden summit "the most important diplomatic event of the year," Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation Robert Lawrence Kuhn said the two leaders established a floor under bilateral relations, which will be a huge contribution to world peace and prosperity. "Then, both countries can carefully build back up by finding specific areas of agreement and mutual benefit."

The Chinese president pointed out that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the lessons learned from 50 years of China-U.S. relations and the conflicts between major countries in history, which should be the direction of joint efforts between the two countries.

Noting that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi said there are two options for China and the United States -- one is to enhance solidarity and cooperation, join hands to meet global challenges and promote global security and prosperity; and the other is to cling to the zero-sum mentality, provoke rivalry and confrontation, and drive the world toward turmoil and division.

The two choices point to two different directions that will decide the future of humanity and Planet Earth, he said, adding that the China-U.S. relationship, which is the world's most important bilateral relationship, should be perceived and envisioned in this broad context.

Noting that U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, Biden said at the summit that a U.S.-China conflict is not inevitable, adding a stable and developing China serves the interests of the United States and the world, and China's economic growth is beneficial to both the United States and the world.

The Xi-Biden summit "can provide a balance for security and economy in an increasingly uncertain and complex world," said Lucio Blanco Pitlo, a research fellow with the Philippine think tank Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation.

President Xi's visit to San Francisco and his meeting with Biden are "a courageous voyage," said Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant based in London. "It is a journey of a peacemaker and of a responsible leader and statesman with a sense of great responsibility to his people, the times, history and humanity as a whole."

Five Pillars For Bilateral Ties

In San Francisco, China and the United States should assume a new vision and build together five pillars for China-U.S. relations, Xi noted, pointing out the two countries should jointly develop a right perception.

China is consistently committed to having a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the United States, and China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed, Xi said.

China and the United States should manage disagreements effectively, he noted. Disagreements should not be a chasm that keeps the two countries apart, he stressed, adding that instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other.

China and the United States should jointly advance mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said. The two countries have broad common interests in a wide range of areas, including traditional areas such as the economy, trade and agriculture, as well as emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), he added.

Xi also called on China and the United States to jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries, adding that the two countries should provide more public goods for the world, keep their initiatives open to each other, or coordinate and connect them for synergy, to benefit the world.

Meanwhile, the Chinese president urged China and the United States to jointly promote people-to-people exchanges, and reduce negative factors that hinder such exchanges, so as to consolidate the foundation for the healthy development of China-U.S. relations.

These pillars are "a solid foundation" for the two countries to build a great future for all humanity, said Tom Watkins, a former advisor to the Michigan-China Innovation Center. "Collectively we have the ability to reset the clock for peace and prosperity for all."

During the summit, Xi also elaborated on China's principled position on the Taiwan question, and further pointed out that U.S. actions against China regarding export control, investment screening and unilateral sanctions seriously undermine China's legitimate interests.

Noting that China's development is driven by innovation, he held that stifling China's technological progress is nothing but a move to contain China's high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development.

Series Of Agreements  

The two presidents agreed to promote and strengthen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in such areas as China-U.S. government talks on AI and the establishment of a working group on counter-narcotics cooperation.

They agreed to resume, on the basis of equality and respect, high-level communication between the two militaries, the China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks, and the China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings, and to conduct telephone conversations between theater commanders.

They also agreed to work toward a significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights early next year, and expand various bilateral exchanges in education, overseas students, youth, culture, sports and between the business communities.

The two leaders underscored the importance of working together to accelerate efforts to tackle the climate crisis in this critical decade, and welcomed recent positive discussions between their respective special envoys for climate.

"Overall, by helping to stabilize relations, the two leaders gave their overt blessing to re-engagement," said Denis Simon, a distinguished fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, adding that it is important for the United States and other Western nations to view China's development as a positive force to enhance global growth.

"Hopefully, this can bring an end to talks about decoupling and delinking. And hopefully, the two nations can further establish new levels of trust and confidence that both countries can gain from improved relations and expanded contacts, especially through people-to-people diplomacy," he added.

After the summit, Xi stressed the role of people in China-U.S. relations at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States.

"The foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by our peoples," Xi said, stressing that "the door of China-U.S. relations was opened by our peoples," "the stories of China-U.S. relations are written by our peoples" and "the future of China-U.S. relations will be created by our peoples."

On concluding of meeting between both the world leaders, addressing  a press conference, Biden 'Welcomed the positive steps we've taken today, "In the months ahead, we're going to continue to preserve and pursue high-level diplomacy with the PRC in both directions to keep the lines of communication open, including between President Xi and me."

San Francisco is the first U.S. city that was directly reached by a Chinese commercial flight. On Jan. 7, 1981, a Boeing 747SP large passenger aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first flight between China and the United States linking Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, and New York.

Over the past 42 years, busy flights have witnessed increasingly close connections between China and the United States.

Earlier this month, Air China and United Airlines successively resumed direct flights between Beijing and San Francisco, signaling improved relations between the two sides.

Addressing at dinner hosted by friendly organizations, President Xi said that ' I am convinced that once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway. The tree of our peoples' friendship has grown tall and strong; and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm.

He said that 'Our paths are different, but both are the choice by our peoples, and both lead to the realization of the common values of humanity. They should be both respected'.

Doha, 15 Nov. 2023

Mrs. Maryam Al-Attiyah, Chairperson National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC) emphasized that the committee's pavilion, coupled with the two exhibitions and the awareness and educational activities planned for the 'International Horticultural Exhibition - Expo 2023 Doha' align with the exhibition's objectives, integral to human rights. She underscored that human rights are at the core of the exhibition and indivisible from its essence, emphasizing Doha's historical hosting of the World Expo, the first in the Middle East and North Africa.

She was addressing on the occasion of inauguration ceremony of NHRC Pavilion in the grounds of Expo 2023 Doha.

Al-Attiya highlighted this hosting as a beacon, showcasing the transformative model of turning desert landscapes into green areas. She noted that this accomplishment, once a significant challenge, now contributes to addressing global challenges such as water, energy, and food shortages, as well as climate change.

Furthermore, she emphasized the committee's pavilion as a platform for disseminating human rights culture in society, fostering sustainable development, and instilling awareness of rights and responsibilities among diverse age groups, including children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

Mrs. Al-Attiyah commended the committee's experts for their studies and publications on the right to the environment, particularly praising the work 'Protecting the Right to a Sound Environment in the State of Qatar'. She highlighted the study's relevance amid the world facing numerous environmental challenges impacting human rights, elucidating the standards and principles governing the right to the environment from a human rights perspective.

NHRC Qatar Chief drew attention to an Arabic calligraphy exhibition on 'Human Rights in Islamic Culture'. The exhibition showcases creative paintings incorporating Qur'anic verses and noble Prophetic hadiths, illustrating Islam's alignment with modern human rights principles and promoting cooperation and dialogue between diverse cultures and civilizations.

The committee also organized a 'Human Rights and Football' exhibition adjacent to its pavilion, intertwining human rights, football, sustainability, and the rights of vulnerable groups. The exhibition's artworks convey messages promoting the right to sport for all, the importance of achieving sustainable development goals, preserving the environment, and fostering camaraderie among people.

Tokyo, 11 Nov 2023 (The Japan Time)

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has said that Japan will "take a lead" in the global efforts to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip amid the escalating war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Japan will proactively communicate with related nations toward the realization of a "two-state solution" for establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel to resolve their longstanding conflict, Kamikawa said in an interview Friday with Kyodo News.

She underscored that Japan can hold dialogue with Israel, the Palestinians and Middle Eastern countries.

"We will aim to improve the humanitarian situation and help de-escalation in the short term, and approach them to realize a two-state solution in the long term."

Earlier this week, Kamikawa and her counterparts from the Group of Seven industrialized nations called for humanitarian pauses'  to enable civilians in Gaza to flee and facilitate the delivery of aid supplies to the Palestinian enclave.

Japan will closely monitor whether Israel's acceptance of a four-hour daily pause in fighting in Gaza will lead to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in the territory.

"It is important that the step leads to the delivery of urgently needed aid, the movement of civilians and the release of hostages," Kamikawa told a news conference Friday.

With Japan set to co-chair the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in mid-December, Kamikawa said Tokyo will encourage other nations to step up support for refugees as more Palestinian civilians are expected to be forced to leave their homes.

Kamikawa, who became Japan's first female foreign minister in around two decades in September, also said it is important for women to assume "leadership positions" and engage in war prevention, reconstruction and peace-building in Gaza.

Doha, 11 Nov. 2023

Few areas are as critical to the future of Afghanistan as education, speakers noted at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q)’s 'Afghanistan Regional Symposium: Confronting the Impasse', but comprehensive efforts are needed for education to truly be the vehicle for peace, prosperity, and social justice.

“The people of Afghanistan face an oncoming humanitarian and economic crisis that is more urgent than ever,” said the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Safwan Masri, in his opening remarks. “And while international support for humanitarian aid is essential, it alone cannot fully address the underlying causes of Afghanistan's deteriorating situation that include the nation's political strife, ongoing conflicts, and the intervention of external factors and actors.”

Dean Masri added: “Having this particular conversation in Doha is especially important given the mediation role that Qatar has played in Afghanistan. There is a moral, as well as pragmatic demand for the international community to assume responsibility for the country's recovery.”

The one-day symposium brought together leading experts, scholars, and policymakers to share deep insights on the fundamental challenges facing the country, particularly the consequences of the unsettling impasse between Afghanistan and the rest of the world since the Taliban regained government control in 2021. Discussions advanced valuable analysis on solutions that can support the social and economic aspirations of the Afghan people. They highlighted the need for engagement and dialogue with all stakeholders in the country and for the international community to step up its efforts, in coordination with Afghans and partners on the ground.

The suspension of girls’ education was a crucial focus during a panel exploring the systemic challenges of education in Afghanistan. Speakers reflected on what constitutes and is required of a modern education system for the country, and on the need to revive the historical legacy of education within Afghan society.

Fatima Gailani, peace negotiator and former President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, underscored the need for engagement and support for women and girls to access the educational institutions and pathways that are still available to them, while Suleiman bin Shah, founder and CEO of the Kabul-based Catalysts.Af, noted the need for a transformative shift in education amid the multiple challenges facing the country, including quality educational content and delivery.

Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, drew attention to a recent international assessment that found that measures to safeguard the basic rights of women, including the right to education, are critical to building the state’s capacity for long-term development, economic growth, peace, and security.

A concurrent session, 'Reporting from Conflict Zones: Media Resilience in Afghanistan', examined the difficulties facing journalists operating in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, both from a security perspective and the challenges of accessing information. Ali M. Latifi, Asia Editor, The New Humanitarian, and a Kabul-based Al Jazeera English correspondent, said that despite the sector’s economic collapse and censorship, the media has still found ways to function and report on important issues such as girls’ education. However, Sana Safi, a broadcast journalist at the BBC World Service, pointed to the misinformation and disinformation that has arisen in the absence of local voices and access to information.

Other sessions included 'Afghanistan Imagined by Afghans', which explored the diverse narratives of Afghanistan, emphasizing the power of storytelling to enhance understanding of the nation's complex social, historical, and cultural dynamics. “Climate Change and Natural Resource Governance” highlighted the pressing environmental challenges facing the country. Compounded by other complexities, the escalation in livelihood insecurity and food scarcity is giving rise to an expanding humanitarian crisis.

GU-Q will continue focusing on pressing natural resource challenges at its “Sustaining the Oasis: Envisioning the Future of Water Security in the Gulf” conference, which is open to the public from November 12 through 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel. A collaboration between GU-Q and the Earth Commons Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, the influential global gathering of experts, policy-makers, and practitioners will explore the historical and future significance of water in the region, addressing both human and ecological needs in the face of a changing climate.

Riyadh, 11 Nov 2023 (QNA/Anadolu/South China  Morning Post)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Palestinians are facing a “genocidal war” and called on the US to end Israeli “aggression”.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in his address suggested that the Arab and Islamic countries should explore the possibility of initiating proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for its war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Genocide Convention and under the interim measures request.

He said that the UN Secretary General could be requested to establish a special commission of inquiry to investigate Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7.

Kakar further said that they should also demand establishing of the international mechanism and call for halt to illegal settlements by Israel.

He said that permanent solution to the conflict was in the establishment of a secure, viable, contiguous and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its Capital and urged upon the Muslim countries to work towards that end.

“We call for a political solution for which it is imperative that conditions are created for a dialogue between the Palestinians and Israel to evolve a way forward through the two-state solution,” he reiterated.

However, at least three countries – including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020 – rejected the proposal, according to the diplomats who spoke on condition on anonymity.

Hamas had called on the summit to take “a historic and decisive decision and move to stop the Zionist aggression immediately”.

“We call on Arab and Muslim leaders … to put pressure on the American administration, which bears direct responsibility in the genocidal war that our people are facing in the Gaza Strip,” a statement from the Palestinian militant group said

The Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in the ExtraordinaryJoint Arab-Islamic Summit, held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, Riyadh today.

Following is the speech delivered by Amir of State Of Qatar :

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Your Majesties, Highnesses and Excellencies,
May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of God be upon you,

At the beginning, I extend my thanks for the blessed efforts of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for this summit, which comes at a crucial time in the history of our region.
Our summit is being convened today while our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip are bearing the brunt of the atrocities of the Israeli war machine in a way beyond human tolerance. The international community has failed to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities and take whatever action necessary to stop war crimes and massacres committed in the name of self-defence, and to put an end to this war of aggression.
As our hearts break with pain at the sight of the mass killing of children, women, and the elderly, and the human suffering, we wonder how long will the international community continue to treat Israel as if it is above international law, and how long will it be condoned to flout all international laws in its brutal, never-ending war on the country’s indigenous population?

What is happening in Gaza constitutes a threat at every level, and even at the level of wars of aggression there are precedents which are being recorded. How did bombing hospitals become a normal thing? At first it is denied and the victims are accused, then it is justified by the existence of tunnels underneath these places, then it becomes something that does not need to be justified after feelings become blunted and eyes become acclimated to seeing tragedies. These are unparalleled things. We found in this war or before it, during the siege of Gaza, a noticeable increase in the levels of immunity among some countries that claim to protect international law and the world order. We have seen their immunity to the scenes of indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians, whether children or women, as well as the bombing of hospitals and shelters, no longer affecting them, and their levels of immunity have reached the point of seeing the bodies of innocent people being eaten by dogs, and these countries do not do anything. Glory be to God, the strength of immunity is only against our Palestinian brothers.
By allowing their justification, the international system fails itself before it fails us. Who would have imagined that hospitals would be openly bombed in the twenty-first century, and that entire families would be erased from the records by the indiscriminate bombing of residential neighbourhoods and refugee camps, and that an entire people would be forcibly displaced with deplored and unacceptable plans to displace them. All this unfolds in full view of the world. This is coupled with blatant racist statements by Israeli leaders that are not denounced by their allied countries’ leaders.

The State of Qatar is unflinching in its historical position in support of the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people and their just cause. We continue, with our partners in the region and the international community, to provide humanitarian aid and work to expedite its delivery to those in need, despite continuous Israeli intransigence to hinder it. In this regard, we demand that safe humanitarian corridors be permanently opened to allow for an unhindered and unconditional delivery of aid to those affected and afflicted. We categorically reject the use of arbitrariness in providing humanitarian aid and threatening to bomb it as a means of pressure and political extorsion. We stress the need to make this aid accessible to all parts of the Gaza Strip. This is the weakest level of faith, and the least that we can all do.
We are also continuing to support all regional and international diplomatic efforts for de-escalation, stemming the bloodshed, and protecting civilians, including making efforts in humanitarian mediation to release the hostages. We hope to reach a humanitarian truce in the near future to spare the Strip from further worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen it.

We reiterate our firm position to condemn all forms of targeting civilians, regardless of their ethnic, religious or national background. We also condemn in the strongest possible terms the targeting of health and educational facilities and justify this with groundless allegations. In this context, we demand that the United Nations send international teams to immediately investigate the Israeli allegations and claims used to justify the bombing of hospitals, although there is no justification for such a crime.

Honourable audience,

You all know the position and feelings of our people regarding what is happening, and there is no need to elaborate on the matter. Difference over this or that issue should not be a justification for disagreement over taking a firm stance vis-a-vis the ongoing crime in Gaza, nor should we be satisfied with denunciation and condemnation statements. Rather, we must take deterrent steps to stop the ongoing war crime, in a way that will also project the weight and leverage of Islamic states. Israel's continuation of its aggression and committing crimes of genocide with such recklessness will not harm only Arab and Islamic national security, but also the national security of our countries.
In conclusion, we stress that the only sustainable solution to this issue is the one that establishes the foundations of justice in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, and this is the solution that the international community have called for, and which we adhere to out of our conviction  in the right of the Palestinian people to enjoy goodness and well-being and the right to self-determination concerning its independent state. And because we believe that the Israeli plans in the aftermath of this criminal war are a repetition of its colonial policies that have thwarted all peace initiatives and even agreements and led to all these crises. The basic thing is that it refuses to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people, and only thinks about security arrangements while continuing the colonialist mentality and its practices towards the indigenous people. The international community's failure to oblige Israel to stop the ongoing crime during our meeting is a license to continue this disastrous approach.

May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of God be upon you, (End).