During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani strongly denounced Israel’s “deceptive assault” in Doha aimed at Hamas officials.
He cautioned that this strike “jeopardizes all diplomatic initiatives intended to halt the mass atrocities against Gaza’s population” and characterized Israel as having transformed into a “lawless” state.
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On September 9, Israel targeted a gathering of Hamas leaders who were deliberating over a ceasefire proposal put forth by US President Donald Trump-a move Qatar labeled as “state-sponsored terrorism.” Although the senior Hamas figures survived the assassination attempt, six individuals lost their lives in the unprecedented airstrike, which drew widespread international condemnation.
Addressing the assembly in New York, the emir highlighted that the attack occurred “within a residential area housing schools and diplomatic missions,” describing it as a politically motivated assassination.
This incident unfolded while Qatar, a pivotal mediator between Israel and Hamas, was actively working to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. Although President Trump expressed regret over the strike, he stopped short of condemning Israel. The US has assured Qatar-home to the Al Udeid Air Base hosting American forces-that such attacks will not be tolerated.
Accusations of Genocide by Israel
Sheikh Tamim criticized Israel for engaging in negotiations with delegations while simultaneously plotting to eliminate members of those very teams.
“Collaborating with a mindset that disregards even the most basic principles of cooperation is profoundly challenging,” he remarked.
The emir further accused Israel of treating peace talks as “an extension of warfare by other means and a strategy to mislead its own public.” He asserted that Israel’s objective is to “render Gaza uninhabitable, depriving its residents of education and medical care.”
Contrary to Israel’s portrayal of itself as “a democratic nation surrounded by adversaries,” Sheikh Tamim argued it is “a hostile force against its neighbors, actively committing genocide.”
He also condemned Israel’s tactic of labeling its critics as either “antisemitic or terrorists,” a strategy he claimed “even Israel’s closest allies recognize and reject.”
Drawing historical parallels, the emir likened the current global solidarity with Palestinians to the international anti-apartheid movement of the previous century.
A Pivotal and Grim Moment
Sheikh Tamim’s statements came amid ongoing discussions at the UN, where Israel’s military campaign in Gaza remains a central focus. The conflict has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths since its onset.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump called for an “immediate cessation” of hostilities, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned silence on the issue as complicity in “this atrocity.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “one of the darkest chapters in the history of this institution,” emphasizing that the roots of the conflict extend back decades.
“How long will we settle for mere condemnations without tangible measures? In the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, what transpires in political corridors is theoretical, while the suffering on the ground is stark reality,” he stated.
French President Emmanuel Macron is among the leaders slated to speak at the Assembly.
Earlier, France and Saudi Arabia convened a summit with numerous world leaders to advocate for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
Several European nations, including Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and France, have recently joined the growing coalition recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Emphasis on Upholding Human Rights
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a passionate appeal for the protection of human rights, following a groundbreaking report by a UN Human Rights Council commission that accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Both the US and Israel, critics of the council, have dismissed the findings. The Trump administration withdrew from the council earlier this year.
“We must prioritize human dignity and rights. These are not mere symbols of peace but its very foundation,” Guterres emphasized. “Choosing rights demands action, not silence.”
Sheikh Tamim connected the September 9 attack in Doha to wider concerns about breaches of international law, underscoring that “the global rules-based order must be upheld by all nations.”
“These principles rest on preserving international peace and security, respecting human dignity, honoring state sovereignty, refraining from interference in internal affairs, and fostering cooperation for the welfare of all peoples,” the emir stated.
“Allowing violations to persist equates to endorsing a lawless environment where wrongdoers thrive simply because they possess power.”
