An extraordinary joint summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League convened in Doha has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent military strike on Qatar, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and stability.
Summit Condemnation
In a joint communiqué released following the summit, leaders expressed “full solidarity with the sisterly State of Qatar,” calling the 9 September strike on residential areas in Doha “a cowardly and illegal assault.” The attack, which killed civilians including a Qatari national, also targeted schools, diplomatic missions, and housing designated for mediation delegations.
The summit declared the incident not only an aggression against Qatar but “an attack on all Arab and Muslim states.” It accused Israel of attempting to undermine Qatar’s key role in mediating ceasefire and hostage negotiations related to Gaza.
President Muizzu’s Address
His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of Maldives delivered a powerful address at the summit, condemning the Israeli strike as “a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a brazen assault on the dignity of the entire Arab and Islamic world.”
President Muizzu described the attack as “a crime against humanity and a direct attack on peace itself,” and emphasised that Qatar, as a central mediator for peace in Gaza, deserves recognition—not punishment. He warned that Israel’s actions are aimed at destabilising the region and sabotaging peace efforts.
The President highlighted a broader pattern of Israeli violations, including the occupation of Palestinian territories, denial of humanitarian access, and the targeting of civilians, medical personnel, and journalists. He condemned the double standards that shield Israel from accountability and called for the equal application of international law.
“No nation in the Ummah should face aggression alone,” President Muizzu stated, reaffirming the Maldivian people’s solidarity with the government and people of Qatar.
He urged that Israeli leaders be held accountable for war crimes through coordinated political, economic, and diplomatic measures, and called for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank.
“Words alone cannot stop bombs or rebuild shattered lives,” he said. “The world must choose between law and lawlessness, justice and injustice, peace and terror.”
Calls for International Action
The summit’s communiqué echoed these sentiments, urging the international community to take decisive action, including:
- Ending Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
- Imposing sanctions and initiating legal proceedings against Israel.
- Suspending Israel’s membership in the United Nations due to repeated violations of the UN Charter and resolutions.
- Enforcing arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Ensuring compliance with provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024 concerning the genocide case in Gaza.
Looking Ahead
The summit welcomed the upcoming Two-State Solution Conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, as a step toward broader recognition of a Palestinian state with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital.
Qatar’s leadership was commended for its “wise and responsible stance” in the face of the attack. The summit concluded with a warning that any further threats against Arab or Muslim states by Israel would be viewed as a dangerous escalation requiring a firm international response.
