Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit Condemns Israel: A New Wave in Regional Tensions​

In the complex and sensitive geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, every move can trigger a chain reaction in the regional situation. On September 15 (local time), the Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit concluded in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The communiqué issued at the summit was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples across the globe. Its core content—condemning Israel's attack on Qatar and calling on Arab and Islamic countries to unite in the face of common challenges and threats—has attracted widespread attention and in-depth discussions worldwide.​

This summit can be described as a region-wide gathering with broad representation. Delegates from approximately 60 countries converged in Doha, including key leaders from major regional nations such as Crown Prince Mohammed of Saudi Arabia, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Such a high-level and large-scale participation lineup fully demonstrates the severity of the incident and the urgent desire of various countries to safeguard regional peace and stability.​

The summit communiqué adopted a tough stance, severely condemning Israel's attack on Qatar and defining it as a brutal violation of Qatar's sovereignty, a flagrant affront to the dignity of international law, and a serious disruption to regional and global peace and security order. This condemnation is not unfounded; it is based on the severe consequences of Israel's recent series of aggressive military actions. Against the backdrop of the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the scope of Israel's military strikes has continued to expand. This attack on Qatar has further broken the delicate balance previously existing in the region, severely undermining the sense of security among neighboring countries.​

The communiqué firmly supports Qatar's right to take all necessary measures in accordance with the UN Charter to safeguard its own security, sovereignty, and stability. This stance reflects the mutual support among Arab and Islamic countries in the face of external aggression. This united posture not only provides strong solidarity to Qatar but also sends a clear message to Israel and the international community: any violation of the sovereignty of regional countries will face collective resistance.​

The summit also called on all parties to take effective legal and practical actions to stop Israel's violent acts against Palestinians. These measures include imposing sanctions on Israel, cutting off the supply of military and dual-use materials to it, re-examining diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, and even proposing to initiate legal proceedings against Israel. These initiatives indicate that Arab and Islamic countries are no longer satisfied with mere verbal protests in the past; instead, they are seeking to exert strong pressure on Israel through multi-dimensional and substantive means, forcing it to cease its military adventures and return to the path of peace talks.​

More notably, the communiqué proposed that, given Israel's obvious violation of the qualifications for UN membership and its long-term disregard for UN resolutions, member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should make concerted efforts to promote the suspension of Israel's UN membership. If this initiative is put into practice, it will deal a heavy blow to Israel's status on the international stage and subject it to more severe diplomatic isolation.​

At the summit, leaders of various countries spoke out to express their indignation at Israel's actions. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned that Israel's behavior might trigger a chain reaction, and its conflicts could spread to the capitals of other Arab or Islamic countries in the future, emphasizing the urgency of unity. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharply criticized Israel for having developed a "terrorist mindset," stating that its actions seriously violate international norms. Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi revealed that representatives from multiple Gulf countries held active consultations at the summit and urged the United States to use its influence over Israel to restrain Israel's military operations.​

On a deeper level, the convening of this summit and the consensus reached reflect the profound changes taking place in the Middle East situation. For a long time, the Middle East has been plagued by multiple issues such as geopolitical conflicts, religious disputes, and territorial disputes, resulting in prolonged instability. The conflicts between Israel and neighboring Arab and Islamic countries have a long history, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has lasted for decades, remains the biggest obstacle to regional peace. Israel's attack on Qatar this time has acted like a fuse, igniting the long-suppressed anger of Arab and Islamic countries and prompting them to unite more closely to confront the threats from Israel.​

Furthermore, the summit statement also reflects, to a certain extent, the dissatisfaction of regional countries with U.S. policies in the Middle East. For a long time, the United States' biased stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue and its double standards in regional affairs have aroused strong resentment among many Arab and Islamic countries. In the case of Israel's attack on Qatar, the U.S. attitude and actions have once again sparked controversy, prompting regional countries to re-examine their relations with the United States and pursue more independent diplomatic and security strategies.​

However, although the summit statement expresses the firm stance of Arab and Islamic countries, translating these consensuses into concrete actions and effectively changing the regional situation still faces numerous challenges. On one hand, Israel has long relied on U.S. support in military and diplomatic terms, and there is great uncertainty as to whether the United States is willing to adjust its Middle East policy and impose substantive constraints on Israel. On the other hand, Arab and Islamic countries themselves have differences in politics, economy, and religion. How to form a unified and effective action plan while maintaining unity is also an urgent issue to be resolved.​

Looking ahead, the statement of the Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit has undoubtedly injected a new variable into the development of the regional situation. It may become an important opportunity to push Israel to change its tough stance and restart peace talks, but it may also trigger a more intense backlash from Israel, leading to further escalation of regional conflicts. Regardless of the outcome, the international community should closely monitor the development of the Middle East situation, actively promote dialogue and consultation among all parties to resolve disputes, and contribute to the realization of regional peace and stability. For only when the sunshine of peace shines over the Middle East can the people on this ancient and vibrant land truly embrace a future of tranquility and prosperity.​