Israel bombed Qatar. On the pretext of taking out Hamas leaders even as they were participating in US inspired talks for peace in the country that was seen as friendly to America, and hence insulated from Israeli bombs and targeted assassinations.
The bombing appears to have taken US President Donald Trump by surprise although most senior commentators in his country do not appear to believe this. However, the White House spokesperson told the media in response to questions — and not as a statement– that the President was informed by the US military even as the bombing was taking place in Qatar. The implication, of course, was that there was no direct warning to President Trump by his ‘good friend’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The President then is claimed to have informed Qatar, through the hierarchical line of command. Qatar has responded by denying this, and suspending all dialogue with Hamas that it had offered to broker at the instance of Washington. The attack comes within weeks of US President Trump’s visit to the Gulf region, a glittering red carpet reception for him in Qatar, with largesse that included mega projects and a luxury aircraft that he had announced would function as Air Force One.
The attack has violated all international law, and demonstrated Israel’s disregard for borders and boundaries where the sovereignty of nations has been repeatedly challenged. In the past month the Netanyahu government has attacked Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Tunisia through a drone attack on a flotilla boat in Tunisian waters, Qatar, not to mention the West Bank and Gaza. Israel has justified every single attack, with full support from the US that has indulged in the usual double speak after the attack on Qatar by maintaining it does not support this, but that the elimination of Hamas is also a goal. As it happens the Hamas leaders have survived the attack.
Israel has made the following points through this attack, that hold whether President Trump knew of it or not.
One, that it is not bound by international law and sovereignty of nations. That these rules do not apply to any country in the Middle East that comes in its way and declared (or undeclared) goals. Worldwide condemnation has not stopped Israel, with the UN and the system of international jurisprudence effectively challenged and blocked by the small country with big support from Washington. The United Nations has been made redundant by Israel on the Palestinian issue, with resolutions and statements ignored and criticised.
Two, that it is determined to complete the genocide in Gaza on the pretext of ‘finishing Hamas.’ It has remained indifferent to protests by the worlds peoples against the genocide, that have been gathering momentum by the day. Public opinion has not shaken Israel’s resolve to occupy Gaza through death and destruction, and it remains completely impervious to the growing criticism of its actions. In this it has sought for and got the support of the US with Netanyahu taking special care to keep the US Administration on his side. So far he has succeeded resoundingly.
Three, that its policy for the Middle East is of violence and aggression. Initially the US fought Israel’s wars against Syria, Libya and Iraq to name a few, but now Tel Aviv has removed all fig leaves and has taken direct charge. Thus, it has managed to disregard public opinion and express its disdain for an international order bound by rules and conventions. It has made it clear by the attack on Qatar that all countries in the region are open to such military intervention, regardless of their relationship with America and the western world.
Significantly, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates that have hesitated to condemn the genocide in Gaza in clear language have come out to condemn the attack on Qatar. Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq have now joined Iran and the Palestinians have expressed their support for Qatar, describing it as an unnecessary and dangerous precedent.
It now remains to be seen what the Arab countries do now as a direct counter to Israel’s bombing in Qatar. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said, “this situation is clear proof that Israel has adopted its expansionist politics in the region and terrorism as a state policy.” Saudi Arabia actually warned of “grave consequences.” However, it remains to be seen what these consequences might be, or whether the slightly stronger rhetoric at the moment will subside again into Arab silence.