HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took Israel to task during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying the country claimed to be ‘a democratic country surrounded by enemies,’ while in fact it was ‘an enemy to its surrounding neighbors, and was engaged in a genocide.’

He said nations around Israel were committed to peace, through a number of signed agreements, while Israel aimed to paint those who ‘oppose it’s will as either antisemitic or a terrorist.’

“Even Israel’s allies realize this fact and reject it, and here we’re today, where we witness an international solidarity movement that’s similar to the international movement against apartheid last century.”

Sheikh Tamim further highlighted the ‘treacherous attack’ on September 9 that targeted Hamas’s negotiating delegation in Doha, in a residential neighborhood that included schools and diplomatic missions.

He called the attack a political assassination that ‘undermines any diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the genocide against the people in Gaza,’ saying Israel has become a rogue state.

“They [Israel] negotiate with delegations and plot to assassinate the members of the negotiation teams. It’s difficult to cooperate with such a mentality that doesn’t respect the most minimum standards of cooperation,” he said.

“They consider negotiations a continuation of war in other means and a way to delude the Israeli public opinion. Their goal is to destroy Gaza so that is unlivable and where no one can study or receive treatment,” he added.

HH The Amir said the international rules-based order must be respected by all, pointing to the attack earlier this month on Qatar by Israel.

“These rules are based on the maintenance of international peace and security and the respect for human dignity and state sovereignty and a non-interference in internal affairs and to cooperate for the benefit of our peoples,” he said. 

“This means, if we allow violations to continue, it means allowing the rule of the jungle, where perpetrators and violators enjoy benefits just because they can,” he said.

“The assault on Qatar constitutes a blatant violation of international norms and a heinous act, which we classify as state terrorism,” he said.

This year’s general debate is focused on the theme ‘Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.’

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