Qatar Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause and Journalists’ Safety Amid Middle East Conflict.


Doha: In its editorial, Al-Raya emphasized that the State of Qatar’s stance on the justice of the Palestinian cause remains steadfast. The publication highlighted that the Palestinian people recognize Qatar’s leadership, government, and citizens as unwavering supporters of their rights, particularly advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In line with this commitment, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is set to participate in the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, aimed at reinforcing Arab solidarity and supporting efforts to halt aggression against Palestine and Lebanon in light of escalating Israeli actions.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al-Raya further emphasized that Qatar consistently reminds the international community of its responsibilities to shield the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples from Israel’s aggressive actions. The absence of international accountability and punishment, the ed
itorial argues, enables the continuation of ethnic cleansing crimes by directly targeting civilians and infrastructure protected under international law. The publication lamented that there is no immunity from violence in hospitals, universities, and schools, nor for United Nations humanitarian forces and relief workers.

The Peninsula, an English-language newspaper, reported that the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon has had a devastating impact on journalists in the region. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, marking the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began collecting data in 1992. The newspaper stressed that journalists, as civilians, are protected by international law, and targeting them constitutes a war crime.

Qatar has condemned the killing of journalists and called for their protection under international humanitarian law. The country has advocated before the
UN General Assembly for enhanced mechanisms to safeguard journalists in conflict zones, including physical protection and legal support. Qatar also sponsored the first UN Security Council resolution on journalists’ protection in armed conflict, which was adopted under its presidency of the Council in 2006.