Qatar Rules Out Closing Israeli Trade Office Over Gaza
"If Arab countries decide collectively to sever relations (with Israel), we will join the Arabs," Sheikh Hamad said in an interview with Al-Jazeera television.
"They only want Qatar to make a sacrifice (while) they continue to deal with the Jewish state," he added in reference to Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania, which have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Qatar has hosted a trade representation office run by two Israeli diplomats since 1996, and the two countries' representatives meet regularly despite a lack of diplomatic relations.
Doha has twice proposed convening an extraordinary Arab summit dedicated to Israel's deadly military offensive in Gaza, but its initiatives have remained unanswered.
On Sunday, Qatar called for a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss "measures to address the continued Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip" despite a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire.
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Publié le 11 janvier 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones
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