A joint emergency summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was convened in Doha, Qatar, bringing together leaders from 55 Muslim nations. The summit saw a united front condemning recent actions by Israel.
Major players like Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia participated in the meeting. All collectively accused Israel of attacks and expressed solidarity with Qatar. However, the muted response from two of Qatar’s key neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, surprised many.
Last week, Israel launched approximately 10 airstrikes on Doha, targeting senior Hamas leaders reportedly discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal. At least six people were killed in the attacks, sparking outrage in Arab and Muslim countries. Leaders at the summit called it unprecedented aggression, stating that the attack on Qatar was akin to challenging the entire Muslim world.
The 55 participating Muslim nations warned Israel that such attacks would not only jeopardize regional peace but could also escalate the situation. Countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia openly supported Qatar from the platform. However, the UAE and Bahrain sent only minor representatives instead of their supreme leaders. This distance, despite being neighbors, is considered a significant setback for Qatar.
This situation stems from the Abraham Accords, which have normalized relations between Israel and the two countries. Consequently, they appear to be avoiding taking a strong stance against Israel. Qatar has long strived to be a strong voice for the Muslim world in regional politics. The lukewarm support from its neighbors could damage its image.