Saudi Gazette report

DOHA — Arab and Islamic leaders summit declared that any assault on an Arab or Muslim state constitutes an attack on all.

The extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit convened in Doha on Monday issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s strike on Qatar, describing it as a flagrant violation of sovereignty, international law, and the United Nations Charter.

The leaders of Arab and Islamic states, meeting under the chairmanship of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, affirmed their unified stance of solidarity with Qatar in the face of “an act of aggression that constitutes a serious escalation and direct threat to regional peace and stability.”

In their final communique, the leaders recalled the principles of the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations Charter, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of states.

The statement underscored that the Israeli strike of September 9, which targeted a residential neighborhood in Doha housing Hamas officials involved in mediation talks, also endangered nearby schools, nurseries, and diplomatic missions.

The attack killed a Qatari security officer and several others, and was described as exposing “the criminality of the extremist Israeli government” while undermining Qatar’s ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.

Arab and Islamic leaders declared their absolute solidarity with Qatar

They warned that Israel’s repeated aggressions, including what they described as genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation, and expansionist settlement activity, are destroying any chance for peace in the region.

The statement praised Qatar’s “civilized and responsible” handling of the assault and its continued commitment to international law.

It also commended Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, for its mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza and highlighted Doha’s humanitarian and educational initiatives worldwide as a reflection of its constructive international role.

The summit firmly rejected Israel’s threats of further attacks against Qatar or any other Arab or Islamic country, calling them provocative and dangerous.

Leaders urged the international community to adopt firm measures to deter Israel, end its impunity, and ensure accountability for violations of international law.

The statement also emphasized the need for collective security among Arab and Islamic nations, welcoming a recent Arab League decision on a “shared vision for regional security and cooperation.”

Leaders called for practical steps to translate this concept into action, including mechanisms for joint defense, respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and adherence to peaceful dispute resolution.

Reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, leaders condemned attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, labeling such efforts a crime against humanity and a form of ethnic cleansing.

They urged immediate international support for reconstruction in Gaza, with Cairo set to host a donors’ conference once a ceasefire is reached.

The summit reiterated rejection of Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as ongoing aggression against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

It called for all nations to suspend the supply of weapons and military materials to Israel, review diplomatic and economic ties, and pursue legal action against Israeli officials responsible for war crimes.

The communique urged member states of the International Criminal Court to support enforcement of arrest warrants issued in 2024 for crimes against Palestinians, and to press for Israel’s compliance with provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice earlier that year.

Leaders welcomed the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the “New York Declaration” in support of a two-state solution, praising the efforts of Saudi Arabia and France in bringing it forward.

They also looked ahead to the upcoming two-state solution conference in New York, to be co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris on September 22, calling for broader recognition of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement reaffirmed support for Jordan’s custodianship of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem and for the work of the Moroccan-chaired Al-Quds Committee and its executive arm, Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency, in supporting Palestinian resilience.

Concluding the summit, leaders stressed that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved by bypassing the Palestinian cause or by attacking mediators.

They called for renewed commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions, and urged the UN Security Council to take immediate and binding steps to end Israel’s occupation and set a timetable for withdrawal.