TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously condemned Israel's attack earlier this week on the capital of Qatar, Doha. However, as reported by Al Arabiya, Israel was not mentioned in a statement agreed by all 15 members, including Tel Aviv's ally, the United States.
Israel attempted to kill Hamas political leaders with the Tuesday attack, escalating its military actions, which the United States described as a unilateral attack that does not advance the interests of the US and Israel.
The US traditionally shields its ally, Israel, at the UN. The US support for the UNSC statement, which can only be approved through consensus, reflects President Donald Trump's anger over the attack ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar," read the statement drafted by Britain and France.
The widely-condemned Doha operation is highly sensitive, as Qatar has hosted and mediated negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Israel's Gaza genocide.
"Council members underscored that releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority," the UNSC statement said.
Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said, "Unilateral bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation working very hard and bravely taking risks alongside the United States to broker peace, does not advance Israel’s or America’s goals."
"That said, it is inappropriate for any member to use this to question Israel’s commitment to bringing their hostages home," she added.
However, Shea has insisted that "the US cannot and will not defend Israel’s attack on Qatar”.
“Clearly, the US still backs Israel. Clearly, the US will still … protect Israel in the Security Council, but this was a bridge too far for the United States," said Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo.
Reporting from New York, Elizondo said that diplomatic sources had informed him that the US has "pushed back" a stronger statement against Israel. However, this time, the US condemnation is "highly significant."
The UNSC will meet again to discuss Israel's attack in a meeting to be attended by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
A Dangerous New Phase
The UNSC statement highlights "support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar," emphasizing the crucial role of the country as a "key mediator" in the peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani flew from Doha to the three-hour marathon session. He conveyed to the UNSC that Doha will continue its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, but will not tolerate further violations of its security and sovereignty.
Referring to Israeli leaders as "arrogant," Al-Thani said that the timing of the attack during mediation efforts shows that the country intends to sabotage the efforts. "Israel is undermining the stability of the region impetuously," he said.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo described Qatar as a "valued partner in advancing peacemaking” and expressed concern over Israel’s recklessness, saying that the strikes represented an “alarming escalation."
She pointed out that Israel's genocide in Gaza has killed tens of thousands and nearly destroyed Gaza completely. DiCarlo also noted that the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, "continued to spiral downward.”
She also noted Israel’s other “dangerous escalations” across the region, involving Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
“The Israeli attack on Doha potentially opens a new and perilous chapter in this devastating conflict, seriously threatening regional peace and stability,” she said.
'Sign of Madness'
In another intervention, Algerian Ambassador to the UN Amar Bendjama said, “Israel behaves as if law does not exist, as if borders are illusions, as if sovereignty itself is a dispensable motion, as if the UN charter is an ephemeral text.”
Highlighting Israel's attacks on Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Qatar, he added, “This is not strength, it is recklessness. It is a sign of madness. It is the conduct of an extremist government, emboldened by immunity [and] impunity. A government driving the region and the whole world toward the abyss.”
After the Tuesday attack, the White House claimed that President Trump was not informed beforehand. Upon learning of the attack, Trump instructed his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to immediately warn Qatar, but the Israeli attack had already begun.
Five Hamas members were killed in the attack in Doha's elite neighborhood, which houses a number of foreign embassies. However, the Palestinian group said its leaders survived the assassination attempt. A Qatari security member also died in the unprecedented attack, which has escalated tensions in the region.
Hamas leaders were meeting to discuss a new deal proposed by Trump when the attack occurred.
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