DOHA/Qatar: In an extraordinary display of regional unity, leaders from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Doha for an emergency summit to address what they called a “dangerous escalation” of Israeli aggression.
The summit came in the wake of a controversial Israeli airstrike on Qatari soil that targeted Hamas leadership housed in the capital, sparking international outrage and intensifying calls for collective Arab-Islamic action.
Hosted by Qatar, the Arab-Islamic Summit resulted in a sweeping joint declaration that condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Doha and laid out an assertive agenda of diplomatic, economic, and legal countermeasures.
Qatar:
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a powerful opening speech, condemning the Israeli strike on a residential area in Doha that hosted Hamas negotiators.
“If you insist on freeing hostages, why assassinate the negotiators?” he asked. “Netanyahu dreams of turning the Arab region into an Israeli sphere of influence — a dangerous illusion.”
The Emir accused Israel of sabotaging peace talks that had reportedly made progress with the help of Egypt and the United States, stating that the strike was a direct attempt to derail a potential agreement.
Pakistan:
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Qatar and condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
“In my statement, I strongly condemned Israel’s aggression in the Middle East, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Qatar, and reiterated our firm commitment to peace in the region, including our resolute support for a just and lasting two-state solution,” he said.
Unified Condemnation Across Arab and Islamic World:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labelled the Israeli government as a “terrorist mindset” thriving on chaos, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned that Israel’s “uncontrolled behaviour” could shatter peace agreements and destabilize the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for reinforced Islamic unity and proposed cutting diplomatic ties with Israel. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani urged the formation of a joint Arab-Islamic committee to represent their position at international forums like the UN and the EU.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II declared that the Israeli strike on Doha was “living proof” that the threat from Israel “knows no limits.”
Palestinian, Malaysian, and Indonesian Leaders Demand Firm Action:
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for international accountability, stating that the far-right Israeli government could not be a partner for peace. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that “words are no longer enough,” urging the imposition of severe punitive measures and a complete severing of ties with Israel.
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka framed the Palestinian issue as central to international law and justice, not just regional politics.
Gulf States and Major Organizations Join the Chorus:
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned the attack and warned that such escalation threatened broader regional stability. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi signaled the activation of the group’s joint defence mechanisms, calling it a pivotal moment to shift from rhetoric to regional security planning.
Both the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League echoed demands for international accountability, describing silence toward Israel’s actions as complicity in war crimes.
From Condemnation to Concrete Measures:
The summit culminated in the adoption of a unified resolution titled: “Shared Vision for Security and Cooperation in the Region.” This landmark document laid out a multilateral strategy centered on key principles, including collective security, mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and a firm commitment to upholding international law and the United Nations Charter.
In addition to reaffirming these foundational principles, the final draft of the resolution proposed a series of actionable measures. Among them was a call to review diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, signaling a potential shift in regional engagement strategies.
The document also recommended initiating legal proceedings against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes, marking a significant move toward accountability through international legal mechanisms. Furthermore, it proposed halting ongoing normalization efforts, including initiatives such as the Abraham Accords, as a means of exerting political pressure.
A key feature of the resolution was the establishment of a dedicated task force—an initiative proposed by Pakistan—to coordinate and streamline Arab-Islamic responses to the ongoing crisis. This task force aims to enhance collective diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian efforts across the region.
US Diplomacy in the Spotlight:
Amid the rising tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Doha this week. The visit follows meetings in Jerusalem and is widely seen as a balancing act — reaffirming U.S. support for Israel while also signaling respect for Gulf allies like Qatar.
Rubio is expected to stress Washington’s backing for Qatar’s sovereignty and engage in damage control as regional anger mounts over perceived U.S. complicity or inaction.
Turning Point or Temporary Unity?
The Doha summit marks a rare moment of cohesion among Arab and Islamic states. While leaders expressed firm resolve, the real test will lie in whether the bloc can translate strong rhetoric into coordinated, sustained action — both diplomatically and on the global stage.
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis intensifies and regional tensions edge closer to the brink, the world watches to see if this show of unity is the beginning of a new chapter in collective Arab-Islamic diplomacy — or merely a symbolic flashpoint amid worsening chaos.
