Israel reject Qatari offer to reopen trade office in Doha 18, May 2010
Posted by thegulfblog.com in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Qatar.Tags: Arab Israeli relations, Gaza Strip, Israel, Qatar, Qatar - Israel relations, Qatari Israeli relations
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Haaretz reports that the Israeli government has rejected two proposals from Qatar to reopen their trade office in Doha.
The Qataris suggested that in return for the reopening of Israel’s office Qatar would undertake several reconstruction projects in the Gaza strip, necessitating the importing of construction materials. The two states began talks some six months ago via the US, France and with direct talks. Also in the proposed agreement was a statement to be given by Israel “expressing appreciation for the emirate’s role and acknowledging its standing in the Middle East.” Something that were it to have transpired, would, I am sure, have caused not insignificant friction between Qatar’s Arab allies, not to mention Iran.
A second similar offer was made some two months ago. President Netanyahu was, it is reported, near to acquiescing to the agreement but balked at the amount of concrete that Qatar wanted to import to Gaza, fearing that some would be diverted to Hamas’ use to build bunkers and reinforced missile launch positions.
The Gulf blog 
[…] is somewhat curious given that Qatar tried on at least two occasions this year to persuade Israel to reopen their trade office in […]
Qatar is trying to be friends with everyone, however, at some point, this cannot work. You cannot be friends with terrorists like Hamas and Hezbollah, and terrorist states like Iran and act like everything is fine since then no one will take you seriously.