Qatar Urges Global Action on Israeli Violations, Reaffirms Two-State Solution Support

The State of Qatar recently called on the international community to confront repeated Israeli violations and ensure the full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, specifically citing Resolutions 2334 and 2803. This urgent plea for international action was delivered by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani. Her statement was made during an Arria-formula meeting of the Security Council, a format that allows for informal discussions and broader participation than regular Security Council sessions. Held at the UN headquarters in New York, the meeting focused specifically on the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. During the session, Qatar unequivocally reaffirmed its unwavering support for achieving a just and full peace in the region and reiterated its steadfast backing for the Palestinian cause, grounding its position firmly on principles of international legitimacy and the two-state solution.

Condemnation of Israeli Actions

A central point of Qatar's address was the condemnation of Israeli settlement activities. These activities were explicitly described as illegal, constituting a flagrant violation of international law, numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the significant 2024 advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. Qatar specifically condemned the Israeli occupation's decision to designate vast tracts of land in the occupied West Bank as 'state land', a move seen as a precursor to further settlement expansion. The nation firmly rejected all measures aimed at unilaterally altering the demographic composition, character, and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. Such actions, Qatar asserted, undermine the prospects for a lasting peace.

Qatar also condemned the recurrent incursions into the Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli officials and settlers, as well as the provocative act of raising the Israeli flag within its courtyards. HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani described these actions as "a flagrant violation of international law and a provocation to Muslims around the world," emphasizing their potential to ignite further religious tensions. Qatar showed the critical need to preserve the existing legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, which is vital for regional stability. The country condemned the escalating violence perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians, noting recent attacks on schools and Palestinian children as particularly egregious examples. Qatar called for immediate and thorough accountability for those responsible for these violations, urging the international community to ensure justice.

Context of Security Council Meeting

The Security Council meeting, held in the Arria-formula format, was co-organized by a coalition of European nations: the United Kingdom, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Hellenic Republic, and the Republic of Latvia. The discussions at the meeting noted the ongoing and concerning escalation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This escalation persists despite various international efforts aimed at achieving peace and ending the protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip. The United States, under President Donald Trump, had previously proposed a full plan in an attempt to address these complex issues, though its impact remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Qatar's Stance on Peace

Qatar reaffirmed its unwavering support for all genuine efforts aimed at achieving a just and full peace in the Middle East. The State of Qatar expressed steadfast backing for the Palestinian cause and commended the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of ongoing challenges, grounding its position in international legitimacy and the principle of the two-state solution. Qatar described certain measures, such as settlement expansion and changes to Jerusalem's status, as a direct assault on the viability of a future Palestinian state and on the implementation of the two-state solution. These actions, Qatar argued, were also seen as fundamentally undermining broader efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, including any progress towards a 20-point plan concerning Gaza. This article was published on September 5, 2026.