What does Qatari emir’s speech mean?

CAIRO – 22 July 2017: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani delivered a 17-minute speech, which is his first since the boycott decision by neighboring countries on June 5. Sheikh Tamim explicitly addressed the Qatari people and the boycotting countries, while implicitly addressing the international community.

Arab newspapers published articles analyzing the Qatari emir’s speech. The following is what three of the most well known newspapers in the Arab world wrote.

The Saudi newspaper Akaz highlighted the victimization discourse adopted by Qatar, which was the center on which the speech revolved.

That has been embodied in the denial of all accusations of supporting terror, as well as stressing on the international and Arab values and principles that - according to him - do not validate the boycott decision.

Akaz shed light on the contradiction in the emir’s speech, as he affirmed that life is going on as normal in the emirate, and then said, “I do not want to undermine the amount of pain and suffering caused by blockade.”

Sky News Arabia criticized the term ‘blockade’, as Qatar does not suffer from any military actions against it by boycotting countries. The article proceeded that Turkish goods reached Doha easily and quickly, while a maritime line was opened between Qatar and Iran.

Sheikh Tamim thanked Turkey for “fulfilling the needs of the Qatari market fast”, which can be considered a sign for boycotting countries that the Qatari regime depends on Turkish military support for protection through its base and troops in Doha.

Boycotting countries are against the Islamist regime in Turkey, presided by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and its violations against the people.

The Emirati newspaper Al-Khaleej pointed out to some features of Sheikh Tamim’s speech in its editorial. In the first place, the article inferred that he was trying to prepare the Qatari people for upcoming repercussions of the boycott.

The article criticized the emir’s refusal to the four states’ decision to not allow Qatari citizens inside their borders, as Qatar’s backing of terrorism incurred the death and homelessness of many Arab citizens and the destruction of their countries.

The article found that the mention of the recurrent events in Jerusalem aims to show that Qatar is giving more care to pan-Arab issues than other Arab countries, which is not true, as these countries have been supporting the Palestinian cause for decades.

What’s more, Sheikh Tamim referred to mistakes that should be remedied as steps and procedures not taken yet to achieve self-efficiency and attract more investments, and promising to do the necessary adjustments.

That can be considered a strong statement since there is no intention to change other state policies perceived by boycotting countries as pro-terror.