CAIRO – 12 July 2017: Al Jazeera “inspires, supports, celebrates and promotes terrorism, advocates sectarianism and attacks Jews,” the Emirati foreign ministry said, describing the Qatari-owned channel in a video released on its YouTube channel Wednesday.
The 4:50 minute video included parts of different interviews and talk shows considered to be evidence that the channel provided a platform for guests known internationally as terrorists. Most of the guests had served time in jail for their involvement in terrorist attacks or for being members of armed groups. Some of those groups include Egyptian Sheikh Youssef Al Qaradawi, Emir of the Al-Nusra Front Abu Mohammad al Julani and Hezbollah leader Samir Al Kentar.
The official video identified Al Jazeera as a platform for violence and hate speech.
The Qatari-owned channel was also called out during the 48th session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, held in the Arab League headquarters in Cairo Wednesday. Bahraini Minister of Information Affairs Ali bin Mohammed al-Rumaihi said during his speech at the session that Qatar has taken the terrorism side on a regular basis, and that it is not following any of the media ethics.
“They are insisting on broadcasting rumors and lies. The Arab security demands us to be firm regarding what is broadcasted in our channels, there is no such a thing called ultimate freedom anywhere around the world,” Rumaihi said, adding that “Al Jazeera made no exceptions. They insulted everyone, the Arab armies, countries and even the Arab League, this is not freedom.”
Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Qarqash sent the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra'ad a letter on Wednesday. The letter is in response to the previous remarks regarding the Arab governments’ demands for closing Al Jazeera channel. “Freedom of speech can’t be used in the justification and protection of the hateful thoughts and speeches,” Qarqash said in his letter.
Qatar’s relations with several Arab and Gulf states has been strained since May 24 when its state-run news agency reported Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad Al-Thani’s statements regarding Gulf foreign policy with Iran as “unwise.” The Qatari government later claimed the statement was never made and the news agency had been hacked.
On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, hurling allegations that the state supports terrorism. Ports and airspace were cut off to Qatari vessels.
On June 6, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Sabah started a tour that included Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in an attempt to mediate between the three countries; the attempt was usuccessful.
A list of 13 demands was given to Doha’s government by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain for reconciliation which includes the closing of Al Jazeera. Qatar’s response was described as “negative” by the four countries’ foreign ministers, who released a joint statement from a summit held in Cairo on July 5.
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