Doha Communique Denounces Israeli Aggression, Calls for UN Membership Suspension
Doha, Qatar – Leaders of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency summit in Doha, Qatar, to issue a unified condemnation of the recent Israeli airstrike on the Qatari capital. The summit’s final communique, issued on Monday, denounced the attack as a “brutal Israeli blatant aggression” and a “flagrant act of aggression against an Arab and Islamic State.”
The leaders reaffirmed their “absolute and steadfast solidarity” with Qatar and condemned the attack on a country serving as a principal mediator in efforts to end the war in Gaza. The communique noted that the Israeli strike on a “neutral venue for mediation” not only violated Qatar’s sovereignty but also “undermined international mediation and peace-making processes.”
The statement outlined a multi-faceted response to what the leaders called Israel’s “continued aggressive practices, including crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation and siege.” Key decisions from the summit include:
UN Membership Review: The OIC member states were mandated to “examine the extent to which Israel’s membership in the United Nations is consistent with the Charter” and “coordinate efforts aimed at suspending Israel’s membership in the United Nations.”
Legal and Economic Measures: The communique called on all states to take “all possible legal and effective measures” to hold Israel accountable, including by “imposing sanctions on it, suspending the supply, transfer, or transit of weapons… and initiating legal proceedings against it.”
Support for Palestine: The leaders reaffirmed their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also called for the implementation of an Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan for Gaza and urged international donors to participate in a forthcoming Gaza Reconstruction Conference to be held in Cairo.
Collective Security: The summit welcomed a new resolution from the Council of the Arab League on a “Shared Vision for Security and Cooperation in the Region,” which emphasizes the importance of collective security and unity in the face of threats. The communique stressed that any future regional arrangements must respect international law and the sovereignty of states.
The communique condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the September 9 Israeli attack on a residential neighborhood in Doha, which resulted in the death of a Qatari citizen and injuries among civilians. It warned of the “catastrophic consequences” of continued international inaction and urged the global community to condemn Israel’s actions and take “deterrent measures to halt them.”
The statement concluded by expressing deep appreciation to Qatar for hosting the summit and for its role in mediation efforts, reaffirming the leaders’ commitment to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East.
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