‘We failed you, children of Gaza’ – Qatar’s Sheikha Moza condemns ‘blatant silence’ over genocide

In a powerful speech that resonated across the Arab world and beyond, Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, delivered a poignant condemnation of the international community’s inaction towards the ongoing suffering in Gaza. In her address, titled “We Failed You, Children of Gaza”, Sheikha Moza called attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, criticising what she described as “the blatant silence” in the face of a slow-moving genocide.

Speaking at a global humanitarian conference in Doha, Sheikha Moza, a long-time advocate for children’s rights and education, did not mince words. “For too long, we have watched in horror as innocent children, the future of Palestine, are bombed, starved and deprived of basic human dignity,” she stated, visibly emotional. “And for too long, the world has turned a blind eye. The silence is not just complicity; it is betrayal.”

Her remarks come as Gaza continues to suffer under a blockade that has left millions of Palestinians in dire need of humanitarian aid. Sheikha Moza called on world leaders, international organisations and civil society to confront what she referred to as “systemic oppression and deliberate erasure” of the Palestinian people.

“The world promised ‘Never Again’ after the horrors of the 20th century. Yet, here we are, witnessing another tragedy unfold, with no accountability,” she said, drawing comparisons between the current situation in Gaza and historical atrocities that were met with global condemnation.

Sheikha Moza, who has long championed the rights of vulnerable populations through her educational initiatives, particularly emphasized the devastating impact on Palestinian children. “These are not just statistics or casualties. These are children—robbed of their childhood, their dreams and their futures. We have failed them.”

Her speech was met with widespread praise from human rights groups and activists across the region. However, it also underscored the growing frustration among Arab leaders and citizens alike, who view international response as disproportionately muted in comparison to other global crises.

Qatar has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, providing humanitarian aid and diplomatic support. In closing her remarks, Sheikha Moza vowed that Qatar would continue its efforts to provide relief and call for justice, but urged the global community to “wake up” to the realities of the ongoing siege.

“The children of Gaza cannot wait. We must act, or history will judge us for our inaction.”

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