Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, January 07 (QNA) - In their editorials today, Qatari newspapers tackled a number of issues, foremost of which was the Qatari-Iraqi relations which they described as rooted deep in history and have always been an example to follow. The newspapers also dealt with the issue of the Israeli occupation authorities' violations against the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to take effective action to stop these violations and not be satisfied with verbal condemnations only. Al Raya confirmed that the Qatari-Iraqi relations are rooted deep in history, and have always been an example to follow, especially in the pivotal moments in the history of the Arab nation. In its editorial, the newspaper said that Qatar has always called for ensuring the security and stability of Iraq as it is an active member of its Arab and Islamic milieu, adding joy has entered every home in the Gulf and in Qatar specifically as the 25th Gulf Cup championship kicked off in Basra, Iraq, which fulfilled its promise and presented a dazzling opening ceremony befitting this historic event in terms of the return of the championship to Iraq, the land of Mesopotamia after about 44 years of interruption. The historic event had an impact on the State of Qatar, it said. The daily noted that HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Iraq Khalid bin Hamad Al Sulaiti praised the good organization of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup, which is being held in Basra for the second time after the 1979 edition. His Excellency stressed that the tournament is witnessing a positive atmosphere and high organization at all levels, starting with receiving the participating delegations, and preparing all logistical matters and good stadiums, the daily said, while highlighting Iraq's ability to host this important historical event. Al Raya said that Qatar has always stood firmly by Iraq in the historical stages it faced stressing its keenness on its unity, security and stability. In this regard, Qatar supported the brothers in Iraq in order to hold this tournament in Basra, and was keen, as confirmed by HE the Ambassador of Qatar to Iraq, to participate at the highest levels, stressing that the State of Qatar has supported all steps that contribute to helping the Iraqi people in various fields, including sports. The tournament is witnessing security stability, in addition to the availability of all services for fans of the GCC national teams, and Iraq's success in organizing this tournament - and demonstrating the ability of the Iraqis to manage such major sporting events - is a victory for Qatar, since the Iraqi stadiums have returned to hosting international sporting events, which brought pleasure to the Iraqi people who are eager for joy and to show the Iraqi hospitality to the whole world, it added, pointing out that Qatar took a promise to remain standing in the ranks of the brothers until conditions return to normal in Mesopotamia, the land of history and civilization. The paper concluded its editorial by saying that the development of Qatari-Iraqi relations would reflect positively on achieving cooperation and common interests of the two brotherly peoples. In light of the challenges and crises afflicting the region, the security and stability of Iraq is the security and stability of Qatar, and the brothers in Iraq will find that their Qatari brothers always stand by their side and they will never abandon them, as Iraq deserves everyone's support for its security and stability so that it continues to play its appreciated roles in supporting security, stability and development in the region, it said, adding Qatar has always been extending its hand to the brothers in Iraq to coordinate positions in order to support joint Arab action that will benefit the two brotherly peoples and other Arab peoples, and Qatar wishes Iraq success in the 25th Gulf championship in Basra. In its editorial, The Peninsula said that with the start of new year, a number of cultural, sports activities have already started at different venues of the country and dozens are on the calendar to make this year vibrant like the previous one. The daily said that the year 2023 has also a lot to offer to residents and visitors in which many local and international events from sports, fashion, food, music, and more to be hosted, adding the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara has already begun preparing the location where the third edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) will take place. The festival, to be held at Katara Esplanade, will start from February 1 to 11. Also fifty hot air balloons will fill the Doha skies as it takes off from January 19 to 28 happening at its new venue at Old Doha Port. The paper said that the Doha Film Institute (DFI) has also opened registration for the lecture series "Watching the Classics" with Professor Richard Pena, the tenth session of which will take place on January 17, adding that other attractions planned for the year include Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, AFC Asian Cup, Expo 2023 Doha, Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, Grand Prix of Qatar, Shop Qatar, Qatar Live and Qatar International Food Festival among many others. Al Sharq said that the Israeli entity's continued defiance and contempt of the international community, its disregard for the UN resolutions issued on the Palestinian issue, and its insistence on proceeding with the path of escalation and dragging the region to the brink of explosion warns that the region is heading towards the worst scenarios, which will lead to chaos and ignite a fire in the entire region, and Israel will be the biggest loser. In its editorial, the newspaper added whenever the international community moves only to timidly denounce some of Israeli occupation's violations such as the violation of Islamic and Christian sanctities - just for fear of an outbreak of violence as members of the UN Security Council did yesterday when they stress the need to preserve the status quo in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem after Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the mosque -, the response of the Israeli government is to take the level of escalation to a new square. It indicated that the response of the Israeli government to the Security Council's call was with more escalatory measures, as it took only hours until the government of Benjamin Netanyahu announced the imposition of new sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, including the seizure of 139 million shekels from the Palestinian clearing funds as well as the seizure of sums paid to the families of prisoners and martyrs, freezing all construction work in areas classified (C), and imposing sanctions on organizations, institutions, and personalities that fight the Israeli entity politically and internationally. Al Sharq concluded by saying in the face of this situation, in which the irresponsibility of the Israeli entity and its extremist government is evident, the international community has no choice but to act immediately and work towards ending the brutal occupation of the land of the State of Palestine and its capital East Jerusalem, and restoring Palestinian rights approved by the international legitimacy. Al Watan said that the members of the UN Security Council's call for the necessity of preserving the status quo in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, days after the storming of the mosque by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, is an important step, but it is not sufficient to confront the path of Israeli escalation, stressing that a clear international position must be taken to put a final end to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque. In its editorial, the newspaper added that experiences show that the Israeli entity has never paid attention to international resolutions and has not implemented any of them, including what is related to finding a permanent and comprehensive solution that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. It continued by saying that what the Minister of National Security did is considered a provocation that may foretell the outbreak of violent incidents - given Ben Gvir's previous call to change the status quo -, and confirms the complete disregard for the sanctity of Palestinian life, international law, and the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, adding this confirms the urgent need for mandatory decisions by the Security Council to push for the launch of urgent negotiations aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement to this conflict which can no longer afford further procrastination. (QNA)