‘Lonely voice’: Qatar faces backlash for promoting normalization on Israeli channels – Doha News
Social media users have accused the former Qatari athlete of welcoming Israelis to Qatar in an interview with Israeli media.
Social media users have rushed to denounce and reject pro-Israel statements by a former Qatari rally driver who said Israelis were welcome. Doha During the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
In an interview with Israeli media on Thursday, Hamad al-Suwaidi, who came to national attention for creating a giant replica of the World Cup trophy outside his home, advocated normalization with the Zionist state.
In an interview with Israel’s Khan Broadcasting Company, Al-Suwaidi promised a “warm welcome to the Israelis attending the World Cup” and said “Doha belongs to everyone”.
“Welcome to Doha. This place is for everyone,” Suwaidi said in a message to travelers to Israel, promising to be the first Qatari to visit Tel Aviv.
“This is also their country and they will be like brothers to us.”
He said Israelis should be welcomed in Qatar and intends to travel to Tel Aviv and promote the full establishment of ties between the nations.
“We cannot expel Israel and Israel cannot leave,” he said from Doha. “People need to be realistic.”
“He doesn’t represent us.”
Qatar, however, appeared to stand alone in its support for normalization.
Shortly after the interview was published, the Qatari took to social media to denounce his controversial comments under the hashtag #QatarisAgainstNormalisation, calling his remarks “disgraceful” and “not representative of Qataris”. said.
“Recently there have been some lone voices calling for normalization with the Zionist organization and welcoming settlers to visit Doha! Since when was Qatar their country? or friends?” Qatari Twitter user Ahmed Al Binali said:
“We do not welcome or befriend the Palestinian people or those who kill children.”
Qatari journalist Jaber Al-Halmi joined the online protest, saying those who support Israel have no value and do not represent the Arab people as a whole.
“To appear in the Zionist media and talk about being friendly and welcoming is nothing but cheap talk. Look at all the people who have appeared in the Zionist media, they are getting attention.
another userAbu Shehab“Yes, I am Qatari, I am against normalization, I am against Israelis. Hamad Al-Suwaidi does not represent our people in the Al-Suwaidi family.”
Speaking to an Israeli channel, al-Suwaidi appeared to be casually talking about how we are perceived.
“There will certainly be criticism, but I have done nothing wrong.
“I love peace. I hope that there will be peace all over the world and that all wars and problems will be gone. You will live in peace like I do. We are a tolerant people, God bless you.” Thank you,” he continued.
But following a wave of online backlash, Al Suwaidi deleted the tweet promoting the interview.
QAYON counterattack
Meanwhile, a Qatari youth who opposes normalization released a statement in response to an interview, describing it as “a condemned act of normalization.” Not to mention the consistency of his rhetoric with the twisted Zionist rhetoric about the peace it purports to be. ”
“The perpetuation of the occupation never justifies accepting a fait accompli. We will never forget the struggle,” the statement added.
Local anti-normalization groups also said, “What Al-Suwaidi and his ilk in the region want is for us as Arabs and Muslims to renounce the Palestinian cause, i.e. the right to resist.” It is to renounce our dignity and free life, and accept that we are an exception to our nation, and those who take our land, insult our sanctity, and attack our sanctity. I will extend my hand to
He noted that the move reflected Qatar’s firm stance on Israel and the state’s vocal support for the Palestinian cause, and would not be swayed by such outspoken voices.
“This has been confirmed by the continued condemnation by the Qatari public since the release of the clip,” the group added.
On October 1, QAYON released a statement saying it sees the World Cup in Qatar as an opportunity to highlight the importance of the Palestinian cause and how it is deeply rooted in the political consciousness of the Arab people. Stated.
The organization urges Palestinian supporters in Qatar and the Arab world to take this opportunity to show their loyalty to the cause, by flying and conspicuously displaying the Palestinian flag inside and outside the stadium during the Games, to ensure that the urged me to remember.
Qatar, pro-Palestinian supporters
Qatar is vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.
between him speech At this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani underscored key issues concerning the Middle East region.
Amir Tamim It renewed the need to implement international resolutions and put pressure on Israel to end its illegal occupation.
“Given the still unresolved Palestinian cause, the failure to implement resolutions on international legitimacy, and the ever-changing facts on the ground, the settler occupation is a fait accompli. ‘, said Sheikh Tamim.
The leaders renewed full solidarity with Qatar and the Palestinians “in aspirations for justice” while calling on the Security Council to “force Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories.”
The latest developments come amid a wave of controversial moves by some Arab states to normalize relations with Israel.
In 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords to establish full ties with Tel Aviv.
https://dohanews.co/lone-voice-qatari-faces-backlash-for-promoting-normalisation-on-israeli-channel/ ‘Lonely voice’: Qatar faces backlash for promoting normalization on Israeli channels – Doha News
