Qatari Emir: 'Israel' is a major source of tensions and instability

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Jul 2022 22:07

Qatar's Emir speaks of the Palestinian cause.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (Reuters)

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, pointed to "Israel" as the major source of tensions in West Asia, remarking that instability in the region will continue unless the occupying regime stops its violations of international law.

On Saturday, addressing the Jeddah Summit, the Sheikh asserted that the root causes of instability are the Israeli construction of illegal settlements, its attempts to change Al-Quds' demography, and its blockade on Gaza.

“The major sources of tension and instability in the region are here to stay unless Israel stops its practices and violations of international law, including building colonial settlements, changing the character of Al-Quds and the continued blockade of Gaza,” the Qatari Emir said.

The Sheikh stressed the need to find a solution to the Palestine issue and that the struggle is a central cause for Arabs and Muslims.

On Sunday, Israeli Channel 13 reported that Israeli airlines are requesting Saudi Arabia to open its skies as soon as this week, just after Riyadh announced that it would allow the occupying regime to fly its carriers over Saudi skies. The move is thought by analysts to be a stepping stone on the Saudis' way to normalization with "Israel".

Saudi-Israeli normalization 'inevitable': Ex-US ambassador

Riyadh and "Tel Aviv" normalizing ties is "inevitable," former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Joseph Westphal said on Monday, urging US President Joe Biden to mend ties with the Kingdom during his upcoming trip to the Gulf state.

"I think [normalization is] coming, that's absolutely coming, and it's inevitable. It's inevitable," Westphal told the National News on Monday. Westphal used to be Washington's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Obama administration from 2014 until 2017.

Recent efforts, such as a push by the Biden administration ahead of Biden's trip to the region that ended yesterday, have opened the door for the bolstering of ties.

The inevitability of normalization stems from the shift in Saudi Arabia's policy that will take place when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman takes the place of his father, King Salman, Westphal said, calling the matter a "generational shift" while also citing Riyadh and "Tel Aviv's" common security and economic interests.

"King Salman, who I got to know very well when I was there as ambassador and have huge respect for him, he is from the generation that really believes that we should do more to help the Palestinian people," he added. MBS, though, "is of a different generation that sees the world with a different set of lenses."

Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia was described by the former diplomat as "extremely important" in the context of bilateral, regional, and global politics, especially in light of the schism that exists between Washington and Riyadh.