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Qatari Envoy to US Says Normalizing Ties With Israel First Requires Two-State
Solution

Nisan Ahmado

   WASHINGTON - Qatar has no objection to normalizing ties with Israel if
   "the conditions are proper" and there is a commitment to a two-state
   solution between Israel and the Palestinians, Qatar's ambassador to
   Washington Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani told VOA.
   "Qatar is part of the Arab Peace Initiative. We believe in a two-states
   solution for the Palestinians and in securing Israel's borders, and if
   these conditions are fulfilled, then we don't see any reason for Qatar
   to not normalize relations with Israel," said Al-Thani.
   The Arab Peace Initiative is a Saudi-brokered plan that was endorsed by
   the Arab League in 2002 to end the conflict between the Israelis and
   the Palestinians. The Initiative offered to normalize relations with
   Israel and provide security for all states in the region in exchange
   for Israel's full withdrawal from lands captured since 1976 and a
   statehood deal with the Palestinians.
   The ambassador's comments come as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
   officially normalized relations with Israel during a signing ceremony
   Tuesday hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
   Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the "Abraham Accords"
   an opening for more such agreements.

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