H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronized the inauguration of the third ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Shura Council's 52nd annual session, on 24 October 2023, morning at Tamim bin Hamad Hall at the Shura Council's headquarters.

The inauguration was attended by H.H. Personal Representative of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, and H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani.

It was also attended by H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the State and dignitaries.

H.H. the Amir delivered a speech on this occasion.

The following is an unofficial translation of H.H. the Amir's speech:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Brothers and Sisters, Members of the Shura Council, It always pleases me to welcome you at the beginning of your esteemed Councils annual session, wishing you every success in discharging your noble tasks.

I also salute your tireless legislative work, and acknowledge your active participation in conferences and meetings held by regional and international parliamentary unions and organizations to catch up on legislative developments at the international level.

Brothers and Sisters, Although we are used to focus on internal issues during my annual meeting with you, allow me this time to start with the situation in Palestine. Our Palestinian brethren are living in straitened circumstances beyond the realm of imagination.

It is neither tenable to stay tight-lipped about the unprecedented barbaric bombing of the civilians in Gaza Strip, which is one of the most populous areas in the world, nor to ignore the huge numbers of its innocent victims, including children and women.

You all know that we are peace advocates, and that we adhere to the resolutions of international legitimacy, the Arab initiative, and so forth, and that we are against attacks on innocent civilians, regardless of their nationality, by any party. But we do not accept double standards, nor do we accept acting as if the Palestinian childrens lives are not worth to be reckoned with, as though they are faceless or nameless. What is happening is very dangerous, it includes trampling not only on international law, but also all values, norms, and religious and worldly laws, besides the proclaimed Israeli remarks of its illegal intentions such as displacement, and so forth.

🇵🇸✊ "Enough is enough, untenable for Israel to be given free license to kill", says H.H. the Amir at Shura Council 52nd annual session.

🎥 @AJEnglish#Qatar #Doha #QatarNews #QatarVideos #Tamim #Standwithpalestine #Palestine #Gaza pic.twitter.com/zJfuvqOzJn

— ILoveQatar - Live (@ILQLive) October 24, 2023

The speech continues:

We are saying enough is enough. It is untenable for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and free license to kill, nor it is tenable to continue ignoring the reality of occupation, siege and settlement. It should not be allowed in our time to use cutting off water and preventing medicine and food as weapons against an entire population.

We call for an earnest regional and international stance vis-a-vis this dangerous escalation that we are witnessing, and which threatens the security of the region and the world. We call for an end to this war that has transcended all limits, to stem the bloodshed, spare the civilians the consequences of military confrontations, and prevent the circle of conflict from spilling over.

We would like to ask those who have aligned with the war, and those acting to gag any dissenting opinion: What would come in the aftermath of this war? Would it bring security and stability to Israelis and Palestinians? Where would the Palestinians head for afterwards? The Palestinian people are here to stay, despite the lingering suffering under occupation, siege, land confiscation and settlement.

Wars offer no solution of any kind. What lies ahead of this will be further exacerbation of suffering, an increase in the number of victims, and a deep sense of grievance that breeds wrath. Generations of children will grow up amidst this horrific experience, and the silence observed by the international community over the killing of their brothers and peers.

The only way to guarantee security and stability for the two peoples is in what has been put aside until now, which lies in achieving a just and lasting peace, and securing Palestinian peoples access to all their legitimate rights approved by international organizations, including the establishment of their independent State, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

More highlights from H.H. the Amir's speech at the Shura Council:

HH the Amir Sheikh @TamimbinHamad, addresses the most pressing local, regional, and international issues during the inaugural third ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to Shura Council’s 52nd annual session. pic.twitter.com/ceULwEGVDG

— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) October 24, 2023

• It is not right to stay silent about the unprecedented bombings of civilians in the densely populated Gaza Strip, nor can we ignore the huge numbers of innocent victims of the bombings, including women and children.
• We affirm our determination to move forward in facilitating dialogue between the various parties to enhance security and peace in our region and the world.
• During the coming period, the State of Qatar is keen to develop the business and investment environment and benefitting from the available infrastructure.
• The State's debt-to-GDP ratio has been reduced from 73% in 2020 to under 40% at the end of the first half of 2023.
• The State will continue to adopt conservative oil prices and enhance efforts to diversify revenue sources through the State's investments in a range of sectors across domestic and international markets.
• Forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggest that the State of Qatar's inflation rate will decrease to around 2% in the medium term.

Sources: Amiri Diwan, Qatar's Government Communications Office
Cover image credit: Amiri Diwan

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