Arab ruler surprised Israel still willing to make peace

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) greets the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani at 10 Downing Street on October 26, 2010 in London, England. The Sheikh is on a two day State visit to the UK, the first since his last in 1985, which is seen as important in strengthening already strongly established business links with one of the Gulf States most financially powerful nations. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The ruler of the Arab state of Qatar expressed his "surprise" that Israel still is willing to engage in negotiations after the Hamas and Hezbollah terror groups assumed control of vacated land, according to
classified documents released by WikiLeaks and reviewed by WND.

"When you consider that many in the region perceive that Hezbollah drove Israel out of Lebanon and Hamas kicked them [...] out 'of the small piece of land called Gaza,' it is actually surprising that the Israelis still want peace," a U.S. embassy document quoted Qatar's Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, as stating.

Al-Thani was making those comments in a meeting this past February with Sen. John Kerry.

The ruler went on to express understanding for Israeli "mistrust" of Arab countries.

"The Israeli leaders need to represent the people of Israel, who themselves do not trust Arabs. The emir said this is understandable and 'we can't blame them' because the Israelis have been 'under threat' for a long time,'" he was quoted as telling Kerry.

Al-Thani claimed the best way to achieve regional peace was by Israel relinquishing the strategic Golan Heights to Iranian ally Syria.

The classified cable summed up Al Thani's views: "In Qatar's view, now is the time to reach out to Damascus. The Syrian government can help Arab extremists make tough choices, but only if the U.S., whose involvement is essential, demonstrates to Syria early on a willingness to address the return of the Golan Heights and supports Turkey's mediation efforts between Israel and Syria."

The region, however, is still "far away" from peace, concluded the emir.

In his meeting with Al-Thani, Kerry went on to support the Israeli relinquishment of the Golan Heights to Syria. He also stated Palestinian control of the Al Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount and a capital in eastern Jerusalem are nonnegotiable for the Palestinians.

"We know for the Palestinians that control of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the establishment of some kind of capital for the Palestinians in East Jerusalem are not negotiable. For the Israelis, the Senator continued, Israel's character as a Jewish state is not open for negotiation," related the cable.

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