The Arab World Strategically Weighs Response to Qatar Bombing 

posted on: Sep 24, 2025

By Jake Harris / Arab America Contributing Writer

September 23rd 2025: Donald Trump is speaking at the UN General Assembly.  The 2025 UN General Assembly comes at a polarizing and dangerous point for the world. The war between Russia and Ukraine is feared to be spreading within the borders of NATO states. The prospects for peace between Israel and Palestine are in limbo. The bombing of Hamas diplomats in Doha, Qatar has added a new dimension to the conflict. It has put the United States in a very difficult quandary.

Qatar Bombing Puts Trump in a Corner

Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the US. The US has the largest military base in the Middle East within Qatar’s borders . The timing of the attack comes during negotiations for a ceasefire-hostage deal. Qatar has served as a mediator between the parties involved, who without a third party, would have little chance of meaningful communication. The attacks on Qatar drew immediate condemnation from the Arab World. Verbal condemnation has been a constant throughout this conflict, some are looking for more. 

Abraham Accords at Risk

In his UN General Assembly speech, President Trump lauded the Abraham Accords as one of his great diplomatic achievements. The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements negotiated between multiple Arab States, the United States, and Israel. The agreements open up official diplomatic relations between these countries, and Israel. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the first nations to sign on, followed by Sudan and Morocco. Trump has looked to expand the agreement to further states. The Abraham Accords hang totally in the balance in the Arab World, as they see Israel as having crossed red lines that invalidate prior agreements.

Israel plans annexation of the West Bank in response to the mass recognition of the State of Palestine.  A move that will put the Abraham Accords in further jeopardy. Saudi Arabia, who have been theorized as being the next country to sign on to the accords, has said the annexation of the West Bank is a total red line for any prospects of normalization. 

Joint Meeting of Arab and Islamic Leaders

Leaders of Arab states as well as other Muslim countries hosted an emergency meeting following the bombings in Doha. The meeting was a joint session of the Arab League member states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Statements from the countries in attendance were of varying levels of condemnation, with some offering little more than lip service, and others calling for a response based in action. Malaysia called for concrete consequences as well as a complete cessation of economic relations. Malaysia made clear that “condemnations will not stop the missiles”.

Qatar and Others Weigh Their Options

It is important to remember that the Arab World is not singular in its approach to every issue. There are internal disagreements and disunity even during this period of intense opposition to Israel’s actions. Countries like Qatar, and the UAE have strong economic and military ties with the United States. 

The United States support for Israel, particularly under the Trump administration is ironclad. Of course, there have been moments where Trump has been visibly irked with Netanyahu. During the 12-day War he went on his famous expletive laden rant to the media outside the White House. Recently, as a response to the bombing of Qatar, Trump appeared upset and said it was regrettable that it happened. It was the nicest possible way he could appease the Qatari’s outrage without fully condemning Israel. In terms of policy, actions speak louder than words. Trump’s foreign policy towards Israel has been historically accommodating, said so by Netanyahu himself. There has been a domestic crackdown on protest in favor of Palestine, an attempt to respond strongly to Israel’s growing unpopularity among America’s youth. Marco Rubio’s State Department has labelled students on visas who protest a foreign government as threats to American national security. 

The Arab League is certainly aware of how the US has responded to other nations straying away from their vision of the conflict. Upon Canada’s recognition of Palestine, Trump suggested that it would hurt prospects of a trade deal. 

The notably timid reactions from much of the Arab World could be for a number of reasons. Fears of a deterioration of relations with the United States are one of the main walls in place blocking the Arab League from going all out in their resistance to Netanyahu’s expansionist policies.

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