WikiLeaks cables: You can't blame Israel for mistrusting Arabs, says Qatari ruler
Israel deserves credit for seeking peace in the face of resurgent Hamas and Hezbollah, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani tells U.S. senator, according to classified dispatch.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Qatar US WikiLeaksIsraelis can't be blamed for mistrusting Arabs, according to remarks by the ruler of the Arab state of Qatar released by the WikiLeaks group in the latest of a string of surprising revelations.
Qatar's Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, made the comments in a meeting with U.S. Senator John Kerry on February 23. A report of their discussions, obtained by the WikiLeaks group, was filed by America's Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron.
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The Emir of Qatar: Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, October 27, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
The cable said:
"The Israeli leaders need to represent the people of Israel, who themselves do not trust Arabs. The Emir said this is understandable and 'we can't blame them' because the Israelis have been 'under threat' for a long time.'
According to the document, the Emir told Kerry that the time was ripe for an Israeli-Arab peace - and that in his opinion, the best way to achieve this was for Israel to reopen negotiations with Syria via Turkish mediation.
"In Qatar's view, now is the time to reach out to Damascus. The Syrian Government can help Arab extremists make tough choices, but only if the U.S., whose involvement is essential, demonstrates to Syria early on a willingness to address the return of the Golan Heights and supports Turkey's mediation efforts between Israel and Syria," the classified cable said.
Syria could be weaned away from its major ally, Iran, and had only turned to the Iranians because it had "nowhere else to go," al-Khalifa said.
The Qatari Emir also told Kerry that his nation could help push Hamas towards peace. Although Qatar did not "share Hamas' ideology," it could play a valuable role as an intermediary, the Emir said.
He went on to say that given the perceived victories for Hamas and Hezbollah, viewed across the Arab world as having driven Israel out of Gaza and southern Lebanon, Israelis deserved credit for still pursuing peace.
"When you consider that many in the region perceive that Hezbollah drove Israel out of Lebanon and Hamas kicked them [...] out "of the small piece of land called Gaza," it is actually surprising that the Israelis still want peace. The region, however, is still "far away" from peace, concluded the Emir."
Qatar severed ties with Israel in early 2009 in reponse the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
But another leaked cable quotes the head of the Middle East division of the Foreign Ministry, Yaakov Hadas, as saying that pressure on Qatar to renew relations was beginning to bear fruit.
Qatar had invited Hadas to Doha to discuss reopening the Israeli mission in the country, the cable said.
"The Qataris need to understand that they cannot expect Israeli cooperation without agreeing to reopen the Israeli mission," Hadas was quoted as saying.
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The Emir probably cannot express himself properly and rationally or simply he is a coward.
The Arab dictators are all under-the-table Israel allies... except Syria. Their relation with Israel goes far beyond Mossad ties. - Saudi Arabia - Qatar - Oman - Kuwait - UAE - Jordan - Egypt - Morocco - Lebanon (Crybaby Siniora camp) ...
Because this is soooooo sweet. "Israeli's can't be blamed for mistrusting Arabs," says the Emir of Qatar. Can I get this with whipped cream?
Almost all the stories from Wikileaks we could've assessed just by keeping up with current events and having an unbiased mind. "Syria is persuadable and can help bring peace to the middle east." "Netanyahu is willing to swap lands with the Palestinians." "Arabs would silently support a military strike on Iran." All that Wikileaks does is put names out that were previously "unidentified sources."
(1) corrupt Arab rulers to align with; OR, a fresh alternative proposed by me, an Iranian American (2) Align with the Green Movement in Iran. Everyone can win this without waging an unnecessary war. Think about it.
The use of "ruler" is very telling. Not leader, not president or prime minister, just "ruler". All these Arab "rulers" must go. Only then can Palestine be born. These Arab "rulers" are worse for Palestine than Israel. At least, Palestinians know where Israel stands, know who is the enemy. But not the Arab "rulers". Good riddance soon.
Syria had 29 years betwee '48 and '67 to act as responsible stewards of the Golan, to curb the artillery against their neighbor. Cunning and full of testosterone but not all that smart, really.
Most comments that are "liked" on this site are clearly hostile to Israel. Has Haaretz's coverage of Israel become so negative that foreign detractors of the Jewish state looking for "dirt" outnumber native Israelis looking for news?
Anyone wonder what the whole paragraph said? "4. (C) The Amir cautioned that the Syrians will not accept everything the U.S. proposes, stressing that the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights continues and that the return of this land to Syria is paramount for Damascus. The Amir observed that the "Syrians have lost confidence in the U.S. and that the Israelis now have the upper hand in the region because of the support of the United States." The Israeli leaders need to represent the people of Israel, who themselves do not trust Arabs. The Amir said this is understandable and "we can't blame them" because the Israelis have been "under threat" for a long time." - cable 10DOHA70, SENATOR KERRY'S MEETING WITH QATAR'S AMIR// It is a bit different than the spin of a small fragment of the paragraph.
the king says whatever he thinks the US wants to hear (or, more precisely, whatever he thinks will best advance his agenda with the US). When meeting with someone else, he adjust his statements. When the king has to reach a decision, he puts all statements aside and does whatever he thinks will do him the most good at that moment. It's called diplomacy, and the fact that US interests appear to be being flattered in this batch of leaks needn't surprise anyone. Woe though to he who gives any of it too much credence: for secret does not equal honest.
has it really embarased any israeli or arab diplomats. what is the big deal?
Israelis do not trust Arabs partly because they project their concept of self onto others. In other words, those who intentionally deceive expect that characteristic behavior from others.
IT IS REFRESHING THIS ARAB LEADER ENTERTAINS THE IDEA OF PEACE
Can Israel have your words in writing sir? Advance thanks.
Maybe that's why his country is prospering and moving into the 21st Century, while the other Arabs are being left behind. The only thing he has wrong is Assad--who couldn't care less about the Golan Heights, which just serves as a pawn in his game. Without the controversy over the "occupied" Golan Syria is nothing on the world stage.
was just before the leaks were published. Now it seems they show nearly the whole world agree with or even admire Israel. The whole Arab world with the exception of the fanatics of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran agrees with Israel and even admires it. Of course the Israel bashers will still keep on bashing but hey lets face it this must be killing them.
...dictator, nor any other dictator for that matter. This guy overthrew his own father to become ruler of Qatar, so why would anyone trust him?
They lie in public, they also lie in private.
to EVERY Muslim country!
why because he understands what Israel is up against. There is no satisfying haters of Israel..they will only relax when Israel is on the brink of destruction...bah humbug to you and like thinkers.
You are right about taking them all with a large spoon of salt They don't trust each other,why should Israel trust them
They have very few, so if its is to be the leaders of a couple of city state Arab dictatorships ... well you take what you can get!
that ALL Muslim countries are dictatorships you admit there are no real peace partners
ever wondered why?
Being told what is in a document by a news service, isn't necessarily what IS in the document.
If you look, the author linked to the direct cable. He even quotes text verbatim from the cable. The text is maybe slightly misleading as it wasn't the main focus of the discussion, but it was exactly what he said.
what IS in the document, Sir?
The peace that Israel wants is the peace in which they continue to expand without limit and nobody resists, nobody protests, and nobody criticizes. As part of this expansion, it goes without saying that as the Jewish population expands, the Arab population will contract. Ultimately, the final peace will come about because all the Palestinians will have been absorbed by other nations. This is the peace that Israel wants. Nothing else will do.
"expand without limit" ... HUH? POINT: Israel once occupied the Sinai Peninsula, and left it. (achieved peace with Egypt) POINT: Israel occupied Southern Lebanon, and left it. POINT: Israel occupied Gaza, and left it. POINT: The Jews occupied regions of Europe, and left it. Durson, will you ever accept that Israel is in its ancient, historic, rightful homeland? Will allow Israel its small sliver of existence in the world? Do the Arabs not have enough land, Durson? REASON 1, DURSON 0
The peace that the Arabs want is the peace in which Israel ceases to exist altogether,the Jews living there are exterminated,deported or become an insignificant minority of "dhimmis" with no human rights whatsover.Ultimately the final peace would be brought by the establishment of an Islamic state ruled by Shariah Law from the River to the Sea as they say or part and parcel of a "glorious" Islamic Caliphate ready to conquer and subdue the rest of the world.This is the peace many Arabs and Palestinians want.Nothing else will do let alone a political and historical compromise.No underground internet whistle blower is needed to expose this.It's all over their media...
Sure. So when arab states attacked Israel in 1948 and 1967 they were manipulated by the zionist lobby. If the had not attacked Israel would not have gained land.
After the 1967 war, Israel offered to give back all of the lands it captured, in exchange for full relations and recognition from the Arab states. The Arab states said they would never recognize Israel, and would continue to destroy Israel. Second, Israel gave up the entire Sinai, Gaza, and Southern Lebanon. In return, it got Anti-Semitic rhetoric from the Egyptian press, and rockets from Gaza and Southern Lebanon.
Have you tried criticising Hamas? If you're in Gaza and a palestinian, chances out you'd be put in prison. And if you think Israel has a problem retracting the expansion and ending it once and for all then wow you must probably think dogs cant look up and that the moon is made of cheese. The settlement expansions are used as a bargaining chip in negotiations just so that Israel could give that up in exchange for Jerusalem. If you dont see that than you shouldnt even be commenting on this because you dont understand it at all. All of these stalls in negotiations arent about settlements, Hamas, the "siege" or any other foolish aspect of all this. It's all about jerussalem, and thats all its ever been about. " in gaza or the
FALSE CLAIM: "they (Israel) continue to expand without limit" FACT: Israel occupied the Sinai but left it. FACT: Israel occupied the buffer zone in southern Lebanon but left it. FACT: Israel occupied Gaza but left it. FACT: Jews occupied Europe but (well, you know what happened, or do you deny this too?) BOTTOM LINE: Durson, can you accept that Israel is here to stay in her historical homeland? Enough of your shrill distortions. Dismissed. (Haaretz...in the name of G-d, please do not ignore or censor my 2nd attempt to comment here!)
but a jew hater like myself! Love you Natalie!
are the facts. Not once has Israel started a war and not once has Israel's goal been expansion. Even the West Bank, Israel offered to withdraw. Its nice that an Arab leader understands that the real problem is Hamas & Hezbollah, and those who support them, like Syria, Iran & even little people like your, but it would be in the interests of all if Arab leaders came out with this kind of candid statement publicly. I suppose there is fear of death for anyone who would dare say anything that supports the Dhimmi intended victims and criticizes the "superior" Muslims. You speak nonsense and promote hatred Durson. All it does is bring misery to everyone, especially the poor, uneducated and deceived Pals.
except as a consolidation of assets in preparation for unilateral measures? If Israel thought it would keep the whole West Bank, it wouldn't have built the wall, which doesn't displace nearly as many Pals as advertised. Natalie's assessment doesn't jive with Israeli behavior on the ground.
Another pack of outrageous, baseless, anit-Semitic lies from Nuttily. The truth is, the Arab population in Israel is nearly ten times (!) what it was In 1949. Some "shrinkage", huh?
And by truth I mean lies and fantasies
about a million Russians in the 90's ... I hesitate to say a million Russian Jews because there are doubt on that point ... and pretty certain they didn't do the weenie test upon entry.
WHAAAAAAT????????? change your dealer, sure he´s cheating on you...
Theo: The Israeli right does not want those lands you mention...They want Judea and Samaria. Or at least substantial parts of it, and this is a huge obstacle to peace....POINT :)
Arabs would stop with "double or nothing" rhetoric, than i'm sure Israeli would change their own rhetoric as well... In order to built reliance between two sides, you must have understanding for both sides, not only your own interests.
The Emir is right "the Israelis mistrust Arabs " and have many reasons for that. Now is the Emir Arab ?
A friendly arab! Israel must take care of this arab friend. Also try to get more arab friends. Finally a united ME could target the iranian/syrian/hezbollah/hamas mess! Once and for all!
most arabs will never hear this
Actually promote better relations. That is if Israel is willing to seize the initiative.
The initiatives are already there. What is necessary is for the public to accept what is said in private. Israel has been fine with the public display of the leaked cables but we will need to see how the Arab public responds.
You're amazing, Lincoln, not to mention shameless. The Emir clearly points to a multitude of legitimate reasons as to why Israelis distrust Arabs. Any your solution is for Israel to "seize the initiative". What "initiative" is that, Lincoln? Perhaps you'd like Israel to give away yet more land? And what, pray tell, should the Arabs do to "promote better relations"? Wait, wait, don't tell me, I know........NOTHING! Did I get it right, putz? The obligation is ALWAYS upon Israel, isn't it? Despite 62 years of perpetual attacks by its "peaceful, tolerant" neighbors, it is Israel that needs to "seize the initiative". What a buffoon.
thus not guilty for trying to work for peace
Although the leaks prove that Sunni conservative and authoritarian states are more favorable to Israel than Iran, Israel should assess the situation carefully. That those leaders prefer Israel to Iran is no surprise. But when time will come to make a move, those Arab leaders will now have their hands tied, as they will not be forgiven by their subjects for supporting the eternal enemy in the region. Should I be Netanyahu, and I'd realize right there that those documents just ended the informal relationship between Israel and the corrupted monarchies.
The Muslim world has no history with democracies and has in fact proven that when given the opportunity they will regress to totalitarian rule. Turkey is one good example of a democratic Muslim state failing. The recently deceased Lebanon attempted democratic values which eventually led to patricide and a PM existing at the whim of an occupying country. The rule of either a monarch or military dictatorship will never change in Islam
I don't think Turkey is reverting. As a matter of fact, the Military will no longer organize coups in that State (which I deem progress in terms of democracy - it is not because a state has beef with Israel it is not democratic). On the question of the Arab states and democracy. I could not agree more. You can also add Iran into the batch, although not Arab. However, it does not mean that a tyrant cannot be replaced by another "anti-Israel" tyrant. Look at the Iran case (Shah vs. Islamic Republic), look at Egypt (Farouk vs. Nasser), at Libya (Idriss vs. Khadafi), at Iraq (Bath vs. Iran)... A tyrant can easily be replaced by another more populistic Tyrant.
How is Turkey failing as a democracy, just becouse some lunatic came to power doesn't mean elections aren't held. We had lunatics before (erbakan) but they were also voted off.
not even Israel - Democracy, born in Greece is a European system of governance - even Israel struggles daily with it, Jewish only communities, majority of people not wanting Arabs to vote -etc. Can Israel have a true democratic state where the state is blind to a citizens, sex, race or religion? That is a fundamental question. The greeks were bright to create such a system, but the greeks were quite tolerant, compared to the middle east.
Well?
The Saudis and Gulf Emirs are perfectly capable of placating and controlling their populations, who enjoy the proceeds insanely generous welfare programs. Gulf Arabs have been bought. There won't be a revolution even if the Emirs convert to Judaism.
Wikileaks rules. Deception ftw
Well done.
Wxcwpt maybe someone who was quoting a loon.
Only the density of population has varied, the low point being the mass expulsions committed by the Romans after crushing the Jewish revolt to regain independence. The Romans renamed Judea as "Palestine" (Philistia in Latin) simply as a final insult to the Jews.
At last, an Arab speaks the truth. Haaretz take note.
Only a bunch of European and American leftists put the blame only in Israel. People with good sense understand the equation. Israel is a tiny country encercled by a sea of criminals. The territorial debate aropund the West bank is limited to a few kilometers. "C'e tout" . Israel indeed, has basically accepted to withdraw from a great part of the West Bank. Only a bunch of leftist Europeans, utterly outdated are fanatically driven to present the territorial debate in the West Bank as a crime against humanity. Have we mentioned antismeitism?????? If that is not antisemitism what is antisemitism all about?
this the code of Qatari diplomacy "thou shall lie to the liers" "sleep with the enemy and don't do the forbidden act" that how to survive Qatar is enemy to the saudi and eygptian and not allied with Iran
you put your thumb on the wound
and the emir is an american employee
And Lebanon is an Iranian Hezbollah Sate.
of another state that serves the US just, and even more than, Qatar does. it's called Israel.
Go!
this is the reason why ISRAEL must never leave land it too via war... EVERY PEICE of land is one more nuse around the neck of the jewish country... the only thing the arab understands is power... and Iran might make us show our hand... to prove our might...
the language of force, not the arabs. regarding proving your might against iran, hope you will have a chance to give it a try, perhaps then you will see your real size in the mirror.
But the power of the punch?
Now if Israel fights like your good friend Hafez al Assad, when he wiped out 10,000 people in the city of Hama in 1982, then you'll definitely see the size Israel is capable of. But the difference is that unlike an Arab tyranny, Israel actually has scruples.
Love this WikiLeaks stuff, more please
No one ever beleived them anyway .....they lie through their teeth.
is you believe arabs lie through their teeth, you are either a racist or an ignorant, or both.
I live in Lebanon Paul is correct . Pity you cant read englishif you read the article what more proof do you want .
Just for the record, about 250.000 documents have been released, only a very small part is about Israel... In your eyes that makes it propaganda? Just because you don't want to accept the truth....? We've got ourself another ignorant hater here.
They need an ideology proving Jews have no right to have a state, and they will get it at any cost. Facts, or Arab leaders own opinions, will not be considered.
I dare Haaretz Service to tell us in which cable.... thx
http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2010/02/10DOHA70.html
All my respect to the Emir of Qatar. Oh, why doesn't he just brake the hypocritical tabbo vis a vis Israel, together with Saudi Arabia, Kuweit, the UAE, Bahrein, Oman, Tunis, etc., and just establish diplomatic relations, so all can help Israelis and Palestinians to realize the dream of two states living side by side in peace and harmony? That would isolate Iran, which is everybody's enemy, and would render cutting the snake's head much easier.
Tell him you don't blame Israel for not trusting the arabs it makes you sound legitimate and its the sort of thing the Americans like to hear. Then tell them Israel must give up the Golan and it must be done with mediation from ( our enemy ) Turkey. A little smooth talking goes along way with US politicians. Syria is not going to break off ties with Iran because Iran pays their bills and Hizbollah has become an independent entity in its own right now and is on the verge of overthrowing the Lebanese government. If Syria made peace with Israel ( Assad also is not offering full peace ) but if he did make peace and that came at the expense of Hizbollah that would be seen as an act of betrayal and Assad would be next target for it. Also in reality Syria's alliance with Iran doesn't even hurt Israel because its very unlikely to increase the chances of war breaking out between Syria & Israel. If Syria wants peace then Assad should say I relinquish claims to the Golan. If the arabs want trust from Israel they must earn it through actions and you don't just hand over strategic plots of land to a man who has never given us any reason to trust him and all we have as proof of peace is his word and signature which is not much of an assurance. Better for arab states to make peace with Israel on a 1-1 basis not part of a package deal where if you can't work out a satisfactory agreement with one then you don't get a deal with any. If they wanted most the Gulf states could make a peace with Israel right now as long as its unconditional.
Peace, should it come, is a vehicle for Israel to assist its Arab neighbors in developing economy and health services. It has nothing to do with handing over land which will facilitate war, not peace.
It's sad how many of them have mastered double speak to please my government and Israel's to keep their cushy tight grip on power, while Palestinians and other Arabs remain impoverished and little say in their future.
Nothing new about it.
The Zionists continue building on occupied land ... what peace is this man talking about ... May he sees nothing beyond his lavish palaces. And he is very ignorant about the goals of Zionism. The Arab peace initiative ... where is it today? Can this moron answer this question? Negotiating peace now and the Zionists refuse to freeze settelment construction on illegally occupied territories in violation of international law ... can he comment !!!
You call him an idiot, however, he speaks the truth here.... Educate yourself before you talk... Jews were there long before Arabs ever were...so, it seems that most Arabs don't want to go further back as it does not match thier talk.
Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is no idiot.
Is he to believe that had Israel faced no resistance and no pressure from arab states, it would seek to return land for peace? This overweight man needs to get on a diet, listen to his people, as appose to oppressing them- they fear Iran, because the people on the street are aligned with Iran while these despots are a relic of the British and of a long gone era. The tide is rising and they fear being overwhelmed, like the Sha of Iran was.
Haha ...that's a bit rich ...have you checked out the current bunch of barrel-bodied Israeli politicians who also have 'listening problems'. If 'the tide rises' most of the Knesset will float away. You're a hoot Scolar!
But Qatar is one of Hamas's main supporters in the Arab world. may be the leaks are not accurate.
Published 18:52 30.11.10 Latest update 18:52 30.11.10 WikiLeaks cables: You can't blame Israel for mistrusting Arabs, says Qatari ruler Israel deserves credit for seeking peace in the face of resurgent Hamas and Hezbollah, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani tells U.S. senator, according to classified dispatch. By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Qatar US WikiLeaks Israelis can't be blamed for mistrusting Arabs, according to remarks by the ruler of the Arab state of Qatar released by the WikiLeaks group in the latest of a string of surprising revelations. Qatar's Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, made the comments in a meeting with U.S. Senator John Kerry on February 23. Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and German President Christian Wulff in Berlin, Germany, September 29, 2010. Photo by: AP A report of their discussions, obtained by the WikiLeaks group, was filed by America's Qatar Ambassador Joseph LeBaron. The cable said: "The Israeli leaders need to represent the people of Israel, who themselves do not trust Arabs. The Amir said this is understandable and "we can't blame them" because the Israelis have been "under threat" for a long time,"?Emir of Qatar Sheik said. Emir of Qatar Sheik
"arabs perceived gaza as kicking out the israelis"??? uh, cast lead showed everyone they can annihilate whenever they please with minimal effort...
Courtney wants so badly to denigrate Israel that she refuses to accept the truth from an Arab when she hears it. Selective cognizance strikes again.