Emir Accuses Israel of Sabotaging Gaza Peace Negotiations
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a fierce condemnation of Israel at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing the country of undermining Gaza ceasefire negotiations through what he called a “treacherous attack” in Doha.
The September 9 strike targeted Hamas leaders who had gathered to discuss President Trump’s latest Gaza ceasefire proposal. While top Hamas leadership survived the assassination attempt, six people were killed in the bombing of a residential neighborhood that included schools and diplomatic missions.
“Rogue State” Accusation Over Doha Attack
Speaking in New York on Tuesday, Sheikh Tamim warned that the attack “undermines any diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the genocide against the people in Gaza” and demonstrated that Israel has become a “rogue state.”
Qatar, serving as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, dubbed the unprecedented bombing “state terrorism.” The attack sparked global condemnation and prompted President Trump to express regret, though he stopped short of condemning Israel directly.
Israel “Engaged in Genocide,” Qatar Leader Says
The Qatari emir lambasted Israel’s negotiation tactics, saying the country “negotiates with delegations” while plotting “to assassinate the members of the negotiation teams.”
“It is difficult to cooperate with such a mentality that does not respect the most minimum standards of cooperation,” Sheikh Tamim stated.
He accused Israel of treating negotiations as “a continuation of war by other means” designed to mislead Israeli public opinion, while seeking to “destroy Gaza so that it is unlivable and where no one can study or receive treatment.”
Parallels Drawn to Anti-Apartheid Movement
Rejecting Israel’s self-portrayal as “a democratic country surrounded by enemies,” the emir characterized it instead as “an enemy to its surrounding neighbors” that is “engaged in a genocide.”
Sheikh Tamim drew parallels to historical struggles, stating: “Here we are today, where we witness an international solidarity movement that is similar to the international movement against apartheid last century.”
UN Leaders Call Gaza Conflict “Darkest Moment”
The remarks came as Israel’s war on Gaza continued to dominate the UN’s annual gathering, with more than 65,000 Palestinians reported killed since the conflict began.
President Trump declared the war must be stopped “immediately,” while Turkish President Erdogan stated that “everyone who is keeping silent is an accomplice to this barbarity.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II called the conflict “one of the darkest moments in this institution’s history,” questioning when concrete action would replace endless condemnations.
International Law Violations Highlighted
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered an impassioned defense of human rights, following a UN Human Rights Council report finding Israel committed genocide in Gaza—a report dismissed by both the US and Israel.
“We must choose human dignity and human rights,” Guterres told the assembly. “Choosing rights means more than words. It means justice over silence.”
Sheikh Tamim linked the Doha attack to broader violations of international law, warning that allowing such violations would create a “rule of the jungle, where perpetrators and violators enjoy benefits just because they can.”
Growing International Support for Palestinian Statehood
Meanwhile, France and Saudi Arabia convened world leaders to rally support for a two-state solution, while several European nations including France, Belgium, and Luxembourg joined the growing list of countries recognizing Palestinian statehood.
