CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar

Qatar rejects recognition of Jerusalem as Israel capital

Published: 10 Dec 2017 - 09:43 am | Last Updated: 19 Nov 2021 - 10:26 am
File picture used for representation.

File picture used for representation.

QNA

New York: Qatar has expressed its total rejection of any measures calling for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, stressing the special importance of Jerusalem to all Arab and Muslim peoples. It added that the legal and historical situation in Jerusalem must be respected and any repercussions that cannot be contained must be avoided.

Qatar has also warned of the serious consequences for security and stability in the Middle East for such actions, which are totally contrary to international law and international legitimacy resolutions and against any serious efforts to achieve peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

This came in a statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador H E Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani at a meeting held by the United Nations General Assembly today on “a Culture of Peace”.

“Since we are discussing today the culture of peace item and we are in the midst of developments in the Middle East, achieving peace requires us to emphasise the importance of avoiding any actions that contradict this lofty goal, namely the sustainable peace that the world needs today more than ever before.. With regard to the Middle East and without resolving the Palestinian issue, peace in the Middle East will remain an elusive goal,” she said.

International efforts to promote a culture of peace, dialogue, understanding and cooperation between religions and cultures reflect the resolve and determination of the international community to confront all difficulties and obstacles to the achievement of international peace and security, especially in light of the increasing conflicts and crises in the world. 

“Accordingly, finding a conducive environment and enabling factors to building and consolidating peace is one of the most important pillars that we, as an international community, must give due attention to by respecting and realising the legitimate rights of peoples, safeguarding their dignity and providing the requirements for sustainable development. Based on our policy derived from our communal, religious and civilisational heritage, Qatar has adopted a policy of moderation, tolerance and acceptance of cultural, civilisational and religious differences among peoples. My country also plays an active and responsible role in the international community that contributes to the establishment and strengthening of international peace and security.” 

In the belief of the State of Qatar that it is important to achieve the sixteenth goal of the Sustainable Development Plan and to support the efforts of the UN in this regard, it has played a leading role in cooperation with Member States and United Nations bodies in establishing the Global Alliance for Reporting SDG 16, which seeks to promote justice, peaceful and inclusive societies, Her Excellency said, pointing out that in the light of the role played by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations to promote a culture of peace, dialogue and understanding between cultures and religions, the State of Qatar has been at the forefront of countries that have supported the Alliance and continue to support it in all its forms.

In the context of the commitment to realising the Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to promote cultural exchange with the peoples, Qatar has worked to establish institutions to spread the culture of peace, dialogue between cultures, acceptance of differences, and to fight extremism and violence, she said, adding that this includes Arab Cultural House, which was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Berlin in November 2017. The House aims to deepen cooperation between the Arab and German cultures, she said.

Sheikha Alia said that Qatar views peace in a more holistic manner, adding peace in the eyes of Qatari diplomacy is not just the absence of violence but permanent peace is based on compromise and justice. The State has therefore given great importance to participating in international efforts to support the role of mediation and preventive diplomacy, which is a fundamental pillar of the Secretary-General’s plan, she said, adding Qatar will host regional consultations on the sustainability of peace for the Middle East and some Islamic countries from 18-19 January 2018 in preparation for the high-level meeting of the General Assembly next April on the sustainability of peace.