This has provided a further opportunity for Qatar, after its sponsoring of the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, to demonstrate its credentials in creating what it believes can be a moderate Islamist movement across the Middle East. The Emir urged Hamas to come to a deal with the rival Fatah organisation, which controls the Palestinian Authority.
“Why are you staying divided?” he said in a speech. “There are no peace negotiations, and there is no clear strategy of resistance and liberation. Why shouldn’t brothers sit together and reconcile?” The Palestinian Authority objects to any diplomatic outreach to Hamas.
Israel condemned the visit.
“No one understands why he would fund an organisation which has become notorious with committing suicide bombings and firing rockets on civilians,” a foreign ministry spokesman said. “By hugging Hamas, the Emir of Qatar is really someone who has thrown peace under the bus.”