Qatar Urges Action Against Israeli Laws Impacting UNRWA at Arab League Extraordinary Session
Cairo, The Gulf Observer: The State of Qatar participated in an extraordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, to address recent legislative actions by the Israeli Knesset that threaten to ban the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The meeting was convened at Jordan’s request to discuss strategies for rallying international opposition to these laws.
Representing Qatar, Deputy Permanent Representative to the Arab League Maryam Ahmed Al Shaibi delivered a powerful condemnation of these recent Israeli actions. Al Shaibi criticized the legislation as an unprecedented attack on the UN and multilateral efforts, stating that Qatar views this move as an escalation in the oppressive policies targeting the Palestinian people and an attempt to cripple UNRWA’s critical humanitarian operations.
Al Shaibi expressed deep concern over the humanitarian consequences for Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, who have already endured prolonged aggression and severe humanitarian conditions. She warned that the laws would have dire humanitarian and political implications, cutting millions of Palestinians across the region off from essential services provided by UNRWA and undermining the Palestinian refugee issue, which is integral to their right of return.
Reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to supporting UNRWA and the Palestinian people, Al Shaibi noted that Qatar’s recent contributions to the agency exceed $100 million. She emphasized that Qatar remains dedicated to backing UNRWA’s mission and to supporting Palestinians in their right to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Al Shaibi also highlighted Israel’s ongoing violations of international laws and UN mandates, calling for Arab unity and international solidarity to counter these actions. She voiced Qatar’s solidarity with fellow Arab states in any collective measures they adopt and expressed Qatar’s support for the outcomes of the emergency session, underscoring the Palestinian cause as a central issue for the Arab world and for global conscience.
