Qatar emir lashes out Israeli ‘violations’ in Jerusalem in UN speech
Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani lashed out on the occupation state of ‘Israel’ during his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, blaming it for its policies in Jerusalem that led to its latest aggression on the Gaza Strip last May.
“This year has witnessed numerous Israeli violations in occupied East Jerusalem and the recurrence of attacks on Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, and the seizure of Palestinian homes in the context of the Judaization and settlement policies,” the Qatar’s emir said.
He added this was followed by “a dangerous military escalation in the Gaza Strip which caused hundreds of casualties among unarmed civilians, aggravating the already dire humanitarian situation in the Strip.”
The latest Israeli 11-day aggression on the Gaza Strip started on May 10 and ended with a ceasefire brokered by mediator Egypt on May 21, killing at least 279 Palestinians, including 69 children and 40 women and injuring 1,910 others.
19 families in the Gaza Strip have been wiped off the population civil registry during Israel’s 11-day aggression, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including 41 children and 25 women.
More than 90,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes, and much of Gaza’s infrastructure and many residential buildings were completely destroyed or levelled.
Qatar, which is a key donor to the Gaza Strip, distributed aid payments to Palestinian residents in the Strip and pledged $500 million for Gaza following the May aggression.
Al Thani said the international community has a responsibility to mediate “a comprehensive, just and peaceful settlement of the Palestinian cause by establishing a Palestinian state.”
