NEW YORK: Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday branded Israel’s treatment of the people of Palestine as tantamount to a “21st-century apartheid system in broad daylight”, Arab media reported.
Qatari Emir Addresses UN General Assembly
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, the emir of Qatar said it was “unacceptable” that Palestinians continued “to suffer under the yoke and stubbornness of Israeli occupation.”
He noted that the failure of the world to act against the Israeli occupation has provided an opportunity for Israel to challenge the basics of a two-state solution.
However, the Qatari Emir welcomed improvements in ties between several countries in the Arab world. He added that efforts should be made to resolve regional issues.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani condemned the “crimes committed against civilian populations in Khartoum and in Darfur,” and called for the culprits of the violence in crisis-hit Sudan to be made accountable.
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In his address, he noted the powerful role sport could play in uniting diverse peoples and cultures worldwide, citing Qatar’s hosting FIFA World Cup in 2022. He termed Qatar as a “global destination and nexus between West and East.”
He said that they emphasized the role that sports could play to build bridges of communication and reconciliation between cultures and peoples.
