Israel Matzav

Congress to Qatar: You got some 'splainin to do

Two US congressmen are passing a letter around Congress asking the Qatari Ambassador to the United States, Mohammed bin-Abdullah al-Rumaihi, to explain his country's relationship with Hamas.

U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and John Barrow (D-GA) are recruiting their fellow members of Congress to sign a letter asking Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S., Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Rumaihi, to address “serious allegations” regarding the oil-rich Middle East country’s relationship with Hamas.

Qatar reportedly pledged more than $400 million to the Palestinian terrorist organization in October 2012 during a visit to Gaza by Qatar’s ruling emir at the time, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

“As you know, longstanding, strategic bilateral relations between the United States and Qatar, including a strong defense pact, are of critical importance to both countries. However, we believe that Qatar’s relationship with Hamas empowers, legitimizes, and bolsters an organization committed to violence and hatred,” a draft of the letter to Al-Rumaihi states, according to a copy obtained by JNS.org.

It's a nice thought. But unlike other Arab states that can be prodded to toe the US line with foreign aid money, Qatar is wealthy enough that it can tell the US to take a hike - and it is likely to do so. With what can the US threaten them?

Ironically, Qatar recently stripped Muslim Brotherhood Sheikh Yussuf Qardawi of citizenship and expelled  both Qaradawi and Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal from the country. That has to make you wonder about the timing of this letter as well.

I'm all in favor of 'convincing' Qatar not to have a relationship with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. I'm just not sure they need any more convincing.

More here. 

Labels: Khaled Meshaal, Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar, US House of Representatives, Yusuf al-Qaradawi

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:55 PM