Qatar wants good relations with Trump in his second term, says researcher Marko Halonen.
Qatar’s withdrawal from the role of mediator in the Gaza peace talks is partly related to the result of the US elections and partly to the fact that the negotiations have hardly yielded any results, according to the University of Helsinki’s visiting researcher specializing in the Middle East Marko Halonen.
For months, Qatar has been trying to mediate negotiations on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The negotiations have ended without results. Now Qatar has to think about whether it will benefit from its intermediary role or whether it will only cause reputational damage to the emirate.
– Hosting Hamas has been beneficial for Qatar in the sense that Qatar has gained visibility in it. When the situation in Gaza has been prolonged, Qatar’s role as a mediator is no longer very useful, but has reached a situation where it is drifting into a party to the conflict. For example, Israel has from time to time accused Qatar of being on the side of Hamas in negotiations.
Qatar wants good relations with the Trump administration
Also according to researcher Marko Halonen Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has influenced Qatar’s decision. Trump’s first term was challenging for Qatar.
– In one of his speeches, Trump said in a rather unpleasant tone that Qatar supports terrorist organizations. Trump didn’t seem to remember that an important US base is in Qatar.
Halonen estimates that Qatar is now trying to please the United States in the new situation and wants good relations with Trump in his second term.
Hamas’s political road closes?
CNN reported on Saturday that Qatar ordered high-ranking Hamas political leaders to leave the country weeks ago at the behest of the United States. Qatar has now reportedly informed Hamas that the organization’s office in Doha no longer serves its purpose. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar announced on Saturday evening that the information about the closure of the Doha office is “incorrect.”
– If Hamas does not find a new base through which they can act as a political actor, then it is difficult to see how they would be able to negotiate in international circles anymore.
However, Hamas’ activities will not end due to Qatar’s decision, as the organization has several operational wings.
– But if the organization’s political path closes, then unfortunately Hamas may shift to more terrorist and freedom fighter-type activities, because they really have nothing to lose at that point.
Added update at 9:23 p.m.: Qatar’s foreign ministry said the report about the closure of Hamas’s Doha office was incorrect.