The leaders of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation met in Doha. They sent a loud and clear message of solidarity to Qatar as Gaza’s situation continues to worsen. Just last week, regional leaders convened at this very same summit to announce their outrage with Israel’s misconduct. For Qatar, a rising key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, they reaffirmed their strong and persistent support.
The backdrop of this meeting was significant. In another signal of their solidarity, in 2022 the United States designated Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally. This designation emphasizes the increasingly vital role that the tiny Persian Gulf state plays in US military strategy. Qatar hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East, further solidifying its strategic role in regional security dynamics.
Despite the strong rhetoric displayed at the summit, many observers noted a lack of actionable steps to influence Israel’s policies. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in technology, healthcare, and education. They are either not able or not willing to exert real leverage over Israel or the United States to halt the current and prolonged carnage in Gaza. This reflects a complex diplomatic landscape where regional leaders find themselves navigating their relationships with both Western powers and Israel.
As the rulers gathered in Doha, they acknowledged their reliance on an unpredictable US administration to intervene with Israeli leadership. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi emphasized the necessity for the US to leverage its influence over Israel. He stated,
“We…expect our strategic partners in the United States to use their influence on Israel in to for it to stop this behavior.” – Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, as cited by Dubai’s state-run Al Bayan newspaper.
The summit wrapped up with a final communique denouncing Israel’s rampage while reaffirming support for Qatar. Opponents say language isn’t enough. As Rami Khouri recently observed about the failures of Arab governments in the last 100 years, “
“Arab governments in the past century have not achieved full sovereignty.” – Rami Khouri.
Arab leaders are surely growing more concerned and frustrated by their inability to control outcomes or affect change in a larger, game-changing manner. This feeling is particularly acute given the daunting challenges, including this present-day violence against Palestinians in Gaza.
