Vienna: The State of Qatar called for intensified international efforts to bring all Israeli nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and for Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear state.
According to Qatar News Agency, this appeal was made in a statement by HE Qatar’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Vienna, Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi. The statement was delivered before the session of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, which addressed the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel’s nuclear capabilities.
HE Al Hammadi emphasized the importance of the international community and its institutions in upholding their commitments under resolutions from the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the IAEA, and the 1995 Review Conference of the NPT. These resolutions call for Israel to place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards and to join the NPT as a non-nuclear state.
His Excellency noted that all Middle Eastern countries, except Israel, are parties to the NPT and have effective safeguard agreements with the Agency. He highlighted that Israel continues its aggressive policies, including calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians, military operations against cities and refugee camps in the West Bank, blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, and restricting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
HE Al Hammadi also mentioned that Qatar submitted a written memorandum last week to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding a request for an advisory opinion based on the UN General Assembly resolution of December 19, 2024. The request seeks clarification on Israel’s obligations concerning the activities of the United Nations, other international organizations, and third-party states.
The memorandum affirmed Israel’s duty to allow the UN and other international organizations, particularly UNRWA and humanitarian agencies, to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. It also called on Israel to respect and protect the property of the UN and other international organizations, including schools, medical facilities, transport infrastructure, and water resources, as well as their personnel.
In conclusion, HE Al Hammadi stressed the urgency for the international community and its institutions to take decisive action to compel Israel to implement international resolutions, recognize the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, restore security and stability in the Middle East, and avert further global risks.