Now is the time to isolate Qatar

Despite reasonable entreaties, Doha refuses to abide by commitments it gave to international conventions

The web of deceit, duplicity and deception woven by the Government of Qatar in its unbridled support for the forces of extremism and terror has touched every corner of the globe. In the UAE, individuals and gatherings funded by the coffers of Doha have tried to undermine the peace and security of the country by organising sedition and deliberately attempting to destabilise its Rulers and Government. Credible and unsolicited testimony on the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and its organisational efforts in the UAE show how it attempted on repeated occasions, and through various channels and supposed charities, to sow discord, disillusionment and disdain towards the Rulers and the Government.

Across the Gulf and the Middle East, Qatar has given succour and support to the forces of destabilisation, using its media channels to propagate hate and its support for groups to spread extremism and chaos. Indeed, a dossier soon to be presented to Unesco outlines in detail the measures taken by Qatar and its agents and shows that, in one example, how Doha’s meddling and funding for terrorist groups in conflict zones meant that schools and educational establishments were demolished and students themselves targeted.

Around the world, the influence of Qatar’s support for individuals intent on spreading terror is directly linked to bombing deaths in disco bars in Bali, the beheading of Washington Post reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, a terrorist atrocity in Manila and the truck bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York. Where these events have occurred or when these terrorists have struck, Qatar’s fingerprints are on the plots or the cover up and hiding of killers.

The four brotherly Arab nations of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt has together taken a stand to ensure that Qatar lives up to its international duties to end support for terrorism; that it cease its interference in the domestic affairs of aligned and friendly nations, and that it stop its subversive agenda. Despite the reasonable and responsible entreaties of the four nations, Qatar has so far refused to abide by the commitments and assurances it gave on repeated occasions to international conventions.

Now is the time for right-thinking nations to isolate Qatar from the international community. The US is a leader in the fight against terrorism, and it ought now to re-evaluate the location of its Combined Air and Space Centre in the Middle East in Qatar.

Simply put, there is blood on Qatar’s hands.