Qatar spoke at the UN about democracy - and then proceeded to attack Israel

Qatar participated in a UN event on democracy and social rights, while simultaneously attacking Israel in the Emir's speech and extensively covering the disqualification of Sami Abu Shahadeh's candidacy for the Knesset. Qatari media, including Al Jazeera, widely covered the disqualification, and Abu Shahadeh claimed it was an attempt to silence the Arab public. A former British researcher and advisor to Qatar argued that the disqualification disproves Israel's claim to be the only democracy in the Middle East.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Qatar participated in an event on renewing democracy and promoting social rights, presenting itself as a leader in the field. At the same time, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani harshly attacked Israel in his speech to the Assembly, claiming that Israel is not a democracy in a hostile environment but rather one that is hostile to its surroundings. Qatari media outlets Al Jazeera and Al-Arabi extensively covered the disqualification of Sami Abu Shahadeh's candidacy for the Knesset. In an interview, Abu Shahadeh claimed the decision was meant to silence the Arab public and exclude it from the political arena, exposing the fear of "racists," Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Minister Ben Gvir. A former British researcher and advisor to Qatar argued that the disqualification disproves the claim that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Dr. Ariel Admoni from Ariel University said that Qatar uses internal events in Israel to portray it negatively through partial reports and biased interpretations.