Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has described the Israeli airstrike on Doha, Qatar, which killed six people, as an attack on the Muslim world.
In a speech at the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha today, Anwar reiterated that Israel’s decision to “rain bombs” on Qatar’s capital was an assault on its sovereignty and a violation of international law.
He said the strike on Qatar was a blatant sabotage on peace in view of the country’s role as a key mediator in the Gaza conflict.
“This attack must be regarded as an attack against us all.
“It is a calculated assault where no nation is to be spared in pursuit of the Israeli Zionist design,” he said.
Israeli defence forces had carried out a strike on the Leqtaifiya district in Doha on Sept 9 targeting the leadership of Hamas, said to be housed in a Qatari government residential complex.
Anwar also said Israel’s declaration that there will never be a Palestinian state was a “declaration of permanent apartheid”.
He was referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed that a Palestinian state will not be established.
He said Netanyahu’s declaration was also a repudiation of every United Nations resolution and the right of self-determination.
“Our people have become weary of words. They have watched us issue condemnation after condemnation, declaration after declaration, while Israel escalates with impunity,” he said.
He said condemnations will not stop the missiles, nor will declarations free Palestine.
Severe punitive action must be put in place, he said, adding that “diplomatic engagements must cease and so must trade relations”.
