Editorial | Outrage over Israel’s attack on Qatar a rare moment of global unity

Israel claimed the aerial strikes legitimately targeted Hamas “terrorists” but neglected to mention that those targeted were also involved in negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Now, the UN Security Council has condemned the attack on Qatar’s capital, Doha, in a statement unanimously agreed to by all 15 member states, though without naming Israel.

The US has been Israel’s staunchest supporter and has traditionally shielded it from international criticism. So when it endorsed the UN condemnation, you might expect that it would give pause to the Jewish state. Instead, Israeli leaders have doubled down.

US President Donald Trump wrote a social media post defending Qatar as “a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States”, praising it for “working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace”.

Unlike Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, which are considered inimical to US interests and which Israel may attack with near impunity, Qatar is a friend. As a key strategic Arab partner, it hosts one of the largest and most important US military bases in the Middle East. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defiantly declared, “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will.”

The bombing in Doha could make other Arab partners of the US question the credibility and effectiveness of American protection, as well as their friendliness towards Israel. The recklessness with which Israel has carried out military campaigns across the Middle East is destabilising the whole region. It scuppers any possibility of good-faith dialogue and negotiation that are the only path to achieving a meaningful peace, and it further alienates the rest of the world.