Qatar blames Israeli ‘intransigence’ for failure of peace negotiations

Qatar’s foreign minister said on Thursday that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of his country’s priorities in defence of human rights and international legitimacy. “This is a confirmation of our choices aimed at achieving peace and stability, security and coexistence in the Middle East,” stressed Khalid Bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah at the preparatory ministerial meeting for the 26th Arab Summit currently in progress in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

“We have supported the peace process out of our conviction first that it is an irreplaceable strategic option to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories,” added the minister, “and second out of our absolute solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have embraced the negotiations and peace as means to end the occupation.” He stressed his belief that the various peace negotiations with all their mechanisms have failed in light of Israel’s continued intransigence.

“They have reached a dead end and there is no point in continuing this path in light of Israel’s continued settlement activities and plans for the Judaisation of Jerusalem, the siege on the Gaza Strip and other illegitimate acts,” he pointed out.

Attiyah called on the international community and the UN Security Council to take the initiative to identify the necessary actions to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state. “Its capital should be East Jerusalem with the borders of 1967, as per Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and with a clear political action plan within a specific timetable and measures.”

The Israeli-led blockade of the Gaza Strip should also be ended, insisted the foreign minister. “We must all work hard with the international community and all active actors to pressure Israel to end the blockade.”