The State of Qatar affirmed that it has demonstrated its ability to deal wisely with the unprecedented blockade in the Gulf region by continuing the policy of opening up and building bilateral and multilateral partnerships in various fields, and despite campaigns of hatred, misinformation and falsehood by the blockade countries, which seeks in vain to justify the irresponsible actions taken against the people and residents of the State of Qatar.

This came in a statement delivered today by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.

HE the Ambassador said that it has been almost a year and four months since the illegal siege on the State of Qatar and the fabricated crisis that aimed to rob the will of the State of Qatar and hijack its political decision, by using farcical pretexts.

She added that this fabricated crisis has only succeeded in undermining the GCC, a regional organization that has maintained its cohesion for more than three decades. She stressed the need to preserve the GCC in light of the crisis and challenges facing the region that require collective action to confront them.

HE the Ambassador stressed that the State of Qatar, since the beginning of the crisis, has affirmed its commitment to deal with it within the framework of international law, relevant international and bilateral conventions and within existing international mechanisms for conflict resolution.

HE the Ambassador reiterated the State of Qatar's commitment to the mediation of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and its appreciation to the States that supported this mediation in order to resolve the crisis and its readiness to sit at the dialogue table, that respects its sovereignty without dictates, as it has emphasized in several forums.

HE the Ambassador added that the State of Qatar headed for the International Court of Justice in order to find solutions to the human rights and humanitarian consequences of this crisis, including the disintegration of families and depriving students of their studies as a result of the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the blockade countries.

In this context, she referred to the Court's decision on July 23 to take interim measures in favor of the State of Qatar against the United Arab Emirates for breaching the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. She explained that the Court's decision requested from the UAE to ensure the reunification of families separated by measures taken by the UAE, and the granting of Qatari students affected by these measures, the opportunity to complete their studies in the UAE or obtain their educational records, as well as ensure that Qatari nationals affected by such measures can head to the courts and judicial organs of the UAE.

HE the Ambassador pointed out that the International Court of Justice's decision shows the strength of the legal position of the State of Qatar regarding this fabricated crisis. 

On the situation in the Middle East, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that the Middle East remains in a critical and precarious situation as a result of existing conflicts that have not found solutions, placing the security and peace of the region at stake unless everyone resorts to the language of reason and wisdom, and adherence with international law and the UN Charter. She added that these challenges require the favorable conditions to address them, including the consolidation of efforts by all to combat violent extremism and terrorism, address its roots and causes, and explore its political, social and cultural backgrounds.

With regard to the Palestine issue, HE the Ambassador said that the Palestinian issue had been under consideration by the Security Council for decades in light of the inability of the international community to reach a settlement of the issue, which would positively affect the stability of the region and the international peace and security, since the Palestinian issue is the central issue of the Arab and Islamic nation.

She stressed that the achievement of a lasting, just and comprehensive peace must be based on international law, the UN Charter and the principles of international legitimacy, namely the right to self-determination and the inadmissibility of the annexation of the territory of others by force. She added that this calls for a settlement of final status issues through serious negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides and on the basis of the agreed terms of reference, including the Arab peace initiative, the establishment of a viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Al-Quds as its capital, as well as ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan and the occupied Lebanese territories.

HE the Ambassador called for an immediate and complete cessation of settlement activities, the return of refugees and the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. She stressed the need not to prejudice the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Islamic and Christian sanctities, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, adding that this ensures that the two sides live side by side in peace and security.

She also referred to the siege imposed on Gaza, pointing out that it is unreasonable that the unjust siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, which reaches its eleventh year, becomes a recognized case. She added that under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar provided emergency humanitarian aid worth $ 150 million, and the Strip was provided with fuel to secure electricity in light of the humanitarian tragedy experienced by the residents of the Gaza Strip.

HE the Ambassador also noted that the celebration of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of returning to school this year, where Qatar's contribution of $ 50 million to UNRWA's education program was a vital element in the decision to open schools without delay. She stressed that these efforts come from the State of Qatar as part of its efforts to play a positive role in favor of the stability to achieve peace.

About the Syrian crisis, HE the Ambassador said that the grave consequences of the Syrian crisis necessitated the urgent achievement of a political solution, in accordance with the Geneva declaration and the resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution 2254, and with the comprehensive participation of the Syrian people to meet their legitimate aspirations and preserve Syria's national and regional unity, sovereignty and independence.

She stressed the importance of giving attention to accountability for crimes in violation of international law and international humanitarian law, so as to achieve the political transition and national reconciliation. She added that this confirms the importance of supporting a neutral and independent international mechanism on the most serious crimes in Syria.

At the end of her statement, HE the Ambassador reiterated that the State of Qatar is pursuing its foreign policy based on the principles of international law, friendly relations, and constructive cooperation within the multilateral system, in the belief that this approach is the best way to put an end to the various international crises, including crises in the Middle East.