CaliToday (16/9/2025):
DUBAI, UAE – Tensions in the Middle East have escalated to a dangerous new level after leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world issued a rare joint statement sharply condemning an alleged Israeli airstrike on Qatari territory. This unprecedented military action is not only a flagrant violation of a Gulf nation's sovereignty but is also pushing Tel Aviv into profound isolation on the international stage.
 |
| Leaders in the Middle East will gather this Monday to attend an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic nations. (AFP) |
The Shocking Attack and Immediate Response
The incident occurred in the early hours of September 15th, when a precision missile strike destroyed a building on the outskirts of the capital, Doha. Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, Western and Arab intelligence sources have unanimously pointed to it as an operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The target of the strike was reportedly a meeting of senior leaders of a Palestinian faction present in Doha.
The reaction from the Arab and Islamic world was almost immediate and exceptionally resolute. Within 24 hours, an emergency summit was convened, bringing together leaders from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The result was a joint declaration signed by over 40 nations, including regional powerhouses like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. The statement described the airstrike as an act of "state terrorism" and "a dangerous military escalation that will not be tolerated."
The Joint Statement and the Fracturing of the "Abraham Accords"
The declaration went beyond mere words of condemnation. It also laid out a series of specific demands:
Convening the UN Security Council: A demand for an emergency session to impose sanctions on Israel.
Reassessment of Diplomatic Relations: A call for all nations to review their relationships with Tel Aviv.
Accountability and Compensation: To hold Israel fully responsible for the loss of life and property and to demand it provide compensation to Qatar.
Most notably, the statement was co-signed by nations that had normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. A senior UAE official stated that "an attack on the sovereignty of a brotherly nation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a red line that cannot be crossed."
This event has dealt a severe blow to Israel's diplomatic efforts to build a coalition with moderate Arab states to counterbalance Iran. Now, the very bridges that were recently built are at risk of collapsing.
Isolation on the International Stage
Russia and China Welcome the Opportunity: While the West found itself in an awkward position, Moscow and Beijing appeared to joyfully welcome the golden opportunity. Both nations were quick and forceful in their condemnation of Israel, but their response went further. They actively capitalized on the crisis to expand their influence. For Russia and China, the rift between Israel, its Arab allies, and the West is a geopolitical victory. It allows them to advance their narrative of a multipolar world order while positioning themselves as more reliable and steadfast partners to the Arab and Islamic world, thereby undermining the United States' standing in the region.
