Arab-Islamic Summit Condemns Israeli Attack, Calls for Action

In Doha, Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani presided over the 2025 Arab-Islamic emergency summit. The gathering, a joint session of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, involved representatives from nearly 60 countries. The primary focus was to address Israel's attack on Hamas officials hosted in Qatar and to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza.

The summit issued a joint statement urging all nations to take legal and effective measures to prevent Israel's actions against the Palestinian people. This included considering the review of diplomatic and economic relations with Israel and initiating legal proceedings against it.

Several countries that recognize Israel, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, were present. However, the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, who had signed the Abraham Accords five years prior, sent senior representatives instead of attending the talks themselves. The summit also called for member states to coordinate efforts to suspend Israel's membership in the United Nations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was scheduled to arrive in Qatar, following his pledge of "unwavering support" for Israel's goal of eradicating Hamas. The attack had strained relations between Washington and its key allies in the Gulf, raising concerns about US security guarantees in the region, which includes a major US military base in Qatar. The State Department stated that Rubio would reaffirm America's support for Qatar's security and sovereignty.

Qatar had called for a coordinated regional response after the Israeli attack, which shocked the usually peaceful peninsula. The summit aimed to increase pressure on Israel, which was facing growing calls to end the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Emir of Qatar accused Israel of attempting to sabotage ceasefire talks by targeting Hamas negotiators in Qatar, a key mediator. Hamas reported that its top officials survived the air strike in Doha, which resulted in six fatalities and widespread criticism.

Key figures present at the summit included Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Pezeshkian warned that any Arab or Islamic capital could be targeted next and emphasized the need for unity.

President Abdelfattah al-Sisi of Egypt, the first Arab country to recognize Israel, cautioned that the attack in Qatar was hindering opportunities for new peace agreements and jeopardizing existing ones.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of adopting a "terrorist mentality." The Gulf countries also met on the summit's sidelines, urging the US to use its influence to restrain Israel.