En direct, Gaza : 13 otages israéliens et 7 étrangers, ainsi que 39 prisonniers palestiniens, seront libérés ce soir, affirment le Hamas et le Qatar

LE MONDE : Un peu plus tôt, la branche armée du mouvement islamiste avait annoncé retarder la libération d’otages « jusqu’à ce qu’Israël respecte l’accord », lui reprochant en particulier des manquements dans l’acheminement de l’aide humanitaire. LIVE EN COURS » | samedi 25 novembre 2023

Qatar’s Complicated Role in the Israel-Hamas War

Nov 1, 2023 | The state of Qatar has been a key Western ally for years, but it’s also a longtime helper of Hamas. CBC’s Thomas Daigle breaks down how such a tiny nation has such a big role in the Israel-Hamas war.

Qatar Ploughs Millions into Canary Wharf amid Criticism of Gulf State’s Hamas Links

THE TELEGRAPH: Sovereign wealth fund backs £400m refinancing of struggling financial district

Qatar has backed a £400m refinancing of struggling Canary Wharf in its first significant UK deal since the terror attacks on Israel sparked criticism of its links to Hamas.

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) secured hundreds of millions of pounds in extra financing from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund and its Canadian co-owner on Wednesday as the landlord struggles with high vacancy rates.

The Gulf sheikhdom’s sovereign wealth fund, together with Brookfield Asset Management, committed £400m in equity and credit to shore up the business.

The finance injection comes as Rishi Sunak faces calls to impose sanctions on Qatar for continuing to host the Hamas leaders who directed the deadly attack on Israel earlier this month.

The former Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, has previously been accused of anti-Semitism by the Middle East Media Research Institute after he reportedly told a Kuwaiti newspaper: “Imagine oil [was sold] by some Jews…what would be the price of a barrel of oil?” » | Gareth Corfield \ Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Islam is an existential threat to the West. There is absolutely no doubt about it. The West will never be able to co-exist with Islam. One side will inevitably get the upper hand eventually.

When I say this, I am not being belligerent; rather, I am being truthful and prudent.

The West thinks it has the upper hand because of its advanced science and technology. It doesn’t. Disabuse yourselves of that notion! In many ways, it is Islam that has the upper hand; and for three main reasons: Sheer numbers and high birthrates; Islam’s commitment to the Islamization of the world. (When they say that the whole world belongs to Allah, they mean it. They are serious. Very serious. Damn serious!); and the West’s greed. The West’s insatiable appetite for profit. There is no end to the greed of corporations. CEOs and boards of directors would sell their own grandmothers for a few extra million. There isn’t enough money to be had for the blackguards.

Contrast this despicable behaviour with the nobler and cleverer behaviour and attitudes of Muslims in high places. They never sell-off their own assets and, further, they buy up key businesses in the West. This empowers the Ummah, the community of Muslims worldwide, and , of course, it empowers the ruling class in the Gulf; and such purchases pad out even more their coffers. Western suckers are only too willing to oblige.

Only today, it is being reported that the Telegraph, the very newspaper from which the above article is sourced, could be sold to Qatari investors. Imagine how much power the Islamic world will then wield over Britain’s ability to disseminate truth and write stories in an unbiassed way! This sort of thing is happening today right across the West. Politicians are only too willing to sanction these purchases for a few backhanders. The little people have little hope.

Never forget the old adage: ‘He who pays the piper calls the tune.’ – © Mark Alexander

Cash from Qatar? European Parliament Rocked by Corruption Scandal • FRANCE 24 English

Dec 12, 2022 | Just when the on-field drama of the football finally seemed to be eclipsing all else coming out of Qatar, the World Cup hosts back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: Doha denies any part in the piles of cash uncovered by Belgian police or the arrests that include a vice-president of the European parliament. The greasing of the wheels came as the EU started to ponder visa-free travel to Qatari citizens. Why would the Gulf emirate even want the waiver?

Eva Kaili Removed from Office after Corruption Allegations | DW News

Dec 13, 2022 | An overwhelming majority of European Parliament members voted to strip Eva Kaili of her position as the body's vice president on Tuesday. The motion to end her term early was backed by 625 MEPs, while one voted against and two abstained. A two-thirds majority was required for her to cease being one of the body's 14 vice presidents. The 44-year-old Greek Social Democrat was arrested in Belgium on Friday over allegations she was part of a group accepting bribes from Qatar in exchange for promoting policies friendly to the Gulf state.

Related links here, here and here.

Greek MEP Stripped of EU Vice-President Role amid Qatar Scandal

THE GUARDIAN: Parliament’s senior leaders agree to remove Eva Kaili, a decision that will later be voted on by all 705 MEPs

Eva Kaili is one of four people charged but has not been officially named. Photograph: Eric Vidal/European parliament/AFP/Getty Images
The European parliament has voted to strip a Greek MEP implicated in a bribery and corruption scandal of her role as one of the body’s vice-presidents.

MEPs voted by 625 votes to one against, with two abstentions, to remove Eva Kaili as one of the parliament’s 14 vice-presidents, following a decision in favour of the move by the assembly’s senior leaders.

“The group chairs in the European parliament unanimously voted for the removal of vice-president Kaili” tweeted the German MEP Terry Reintke, co-president of the Green group, ahead of the vote. “We also agreed to a full inquiry into the matter and taking further preventative measures.” » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels and Helena Smith in Athens | Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Qatar Bribery Probe Rocks EU Parliament | DW News

Dec 12, 2022 | A vice president of the European Parliament has been charged with corruption over allegations that World Cup host Qatar paid huge bribes to influence EU policy. Eva Kaili has been stripped of her powers after investigators reportedly found bags of cash in her home. She's one of four people arrested so far in connection with the scandal.

Une eurodéputée accusée d’avoir reçu des valises de billets du Qatar

Dec 12, 2022 | Dans une intervention devant les députés le 20 novembre 2022, la vice-présidente du Parlement européen défendait vigoureusement le Qatar. Elle a depuis été incarcérée en Belgique pour corruption et est soupçonnée d’avoir reçu de l’argent de la part de l’émirat.

Elle vantait un pays « à la pointe en matière de droits du travail, abolissant la kafala [un système de tutelle des employeurs sur les travailleurs] ». Des ONG alertent pourtant depuis plusieurs années sur la situation des travailleurs migrants au Qatar. Le 2 novembre dernier, le ministre du travail qatari, Ali Ben Samikh Al-Marri, avait rejeté l’appel de plusieurs ONG à créer un fonds d’indemnisation pour les travailleurs migrants tués ou blessés sur les chantiers de construction des infrastructures du tournoi, dénonçant un « coup de communication ».

Dimanche, les enquêteurs ont saisi plusieurs centaines de milliers d’euros chez Eva Kaili et son compagnon et assistant parlementaire, Pier Antonio Panzeri.

What Does the Case Say about the European Parliament At Large? | DW News

Dec 11, 2022 | Four people who have been arrested by Belgian police as part of a corruption investigation involving the EU Parliament have now been charged with criminal offenses. These include: participating in a criminal organization, corruption and money laundering. In total, six people have been arrested, including MEP Eva Kaili who was a Vice President of the Parliament.

Qatar’s World Cup Showcases Renewed Ties With Saudi Arabia, but Scars Remain

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Gulf neighbors were split for years in a bitter regional dispute. Now, the glare of attention provided by the soccer tournament is highlighting their complicated reunion.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on the sidelines of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar. | Qatar News Agency
AL-AHSA, Saudi Arabia — There used to be so many Qataris in the bazaar in the Saudi oasis of Al-Ahsa, hunting for deals on spices and sandals, that some merchants called it “the Qatar market.” Qataris would cross the border and drive 100 miles through the desert to reach the towns of Al-Ahsa, loading their SUVs with sacks of flour, dining in the restaurants and filling the hotels.

Then came “the crisis,” as people at the market call it. Saudi Arabia, along with Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, severed ties with Qatar in 2017 and effectively isolated the tiny country, accusing its government of supporting terrorism and meddling in their internal affairs. Qatari officials denied the allegations and accused Saudi Arabia and the other countries of creating a “blockade” against their nation. Saudi Arabia closed the border — Qatar’s only land border — and Qatari business in Al-Ahsa withered.

Few people felt more relief than the merchants in Al-Ahsa when the split ended last year, as Saudi officials moved to resolve conflicts abroad that had become costly and contentious. Last week, Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia clasped hands and grinned at the opening ceremony of the soccer World Cup in Qatar, showing off the repair of a rift that reshaped the Gulf. » | Vivian Nereim | Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Hear from US Journalist Who Was Detained for Wearing a Rainbow Shirt in Qatar

Nov 22, 2022 | CNN's Poppy Harlow, Don Lemon, and Kaitlan Collins speak to journalist Grant Wahl who was temporarily detained by security for wearing a rainbow shirt while covering the World Cup in Qatar.

What Are the Costs and Consequences of the Qatar World Cup? | DW Business Special

Nov 26, 2022 | 2022 World Cup host Qatar is throwing crazy sums of money at the premier men’s football event, to make the small emirate look progressive. That won’t just benefit its rulers, but also Western economies, in justifying their business ties with the rich energy producer. Ben Fajzullin talks about the costs and consequences with David Conn, Investigations Correspondent at The Guardian.

OneLove Bands and Plastic Swords: What’s Banned at Qatar World Cup

THE GUARDIAN: ‘Crusader’ costumes are the latest reported addition to the list of items unwelcome at the tournament

Belgium fans wearing rainbow T-shirts at their team’s opening match against Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha on Wednesday. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP
If you’re on your way to Qatar and looking forward to strolling up to Al Bayt

Stadium in a bikini with a plastic sword in hand, OneLove band on your arm, rainbow hat on your head and a pint in your hand, you’re going to be disappointed.

The list of items banned at the World Cup continues to grow, most recently with reports that England fans have been told not to wear “crusader” costumes, occasionally favoured by middle-aged white men as misguided-at-best clothing for international matches.

Here we take a look at the items banned in Qatar so far. » | Jamie Grierson | Friday, November 25, 2022

Qataris Bristle at What They See as Double Standards over Their World Cup

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Many in the country say the barrage of criticism about its human rights record and the exploitation of migrant workers is laced with discrimination and hypocrisy.

The skyline of Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Monday. The country is the first in the Middle East to host the World Cup. | Erin Schaff/The New York Times
When the singer Rod Stewart was offered more than $1 million to perform in Qatar, he said, he turned it down.

“It’s not right to go,” Mr. Stewart told the The Sunday Times of London recently, joining a string of public figures to declare boycotts or express condemnation of Qatar as the Gulf nation hosts the soccer World Cup.

In the prelude to the tournament, which started this past weekend, Qatar has faced an increasing barrage of criticism over its human rights record, including the authoritarian monarchy’s criminalization of homosexuality and the well-documented abuse of migrant workers.

Yet Mr. Stewart voiced no such disapproval when he performed in 2010 in Dubai or 2017 in Abu Dhabi, cities in the nearby United Arab Emirates — a country that also has an authoritarian monarchy and has faced allegations of human rights violations but that has more successfully cultivated a Western-friendly image. Mr. Stewart declined a request for comment through his public relations firm. » | Vivian Nereim | Friday, November 25, 2022

Where is the logic in worshipping Allah as the One God and Creator on the one hand and then criminalizing and punishing His creation on the other? How can God be both inerrant and yet still create gay people who are considered ‘abhorrent’. Are gays not a part of God’s creation? Are gays not exactly how God wanted them to be? Or did the inerrant God err? – © Mark Alexander

German Football Federation to Take Legal Action over Fifa’s OneLove Armband Ban

THE GUARDIAN: Move comes after supermarket chain cuts commercial ties with DFB in protest over row at World Cup

Germany’s football federation has said it plans legal steps against Fifa over its banning of OneLove rainbow armbands at the World Cup as it faced the humiliating decision by one of the country’s largest supermarket chains to cut its commercial ties over the row.

The DFB refused to let players in Qatar wear the armbands promoting diversity and inclusion after threats from the world football governing body to issue yellow cards to team captains, but faced a swift reaction, including from the supermarket chain REWE, which became the first sponsor to take direct action as it said it would drop its advertising campaign in protest at the decision.

The DFB’s spokesperson, Stefan Simon, confirmed to the tabloid Bild that it had lodged a case over legal validity of the decision at the international sport court, CAS, » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Cachez ce chapeau arc-en-ciel que je ne saurais voir au Qatar

LE MONDE : Il s’agit d’un nouveau signe des tensions au Mondial 2022 autour des symboles LGBT+.

Deux jours après le début du Mondial au Qatar, les polémiques entourant les symboles LGBT+ n’en finissent pas. L’ancienne capitaine de la sélection galloise, Laura McAllister, et une association de supporteurs gallois, ont expliqué qu’ils avaient dû enlever leurs chapeaux arc-en-ciel pour assister au match Etats-Unis-Pays de Galles (1-1) lundi 21 novembre.

« Pendant que nous faisions la queue, nous avons entendu que les gens qui portaient un bob arc-en-ciel », le symbole de l’association galloise de supporteurs LGBT Rainbow Wall, « avaient dû l’enlever », a rapporté à la chaîne ITV News l’ex-joueuse, qui siège, entre autres, au comité exécutif de la fédération galloise. » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 22 novembre 2022

Les Qataris sont des Moyen-Orientaux et musulmans. Ils ne vont pas changer de sitôt. En ce qui concerne les gays, ils se comportent selon le type. Leur religion, l'islam, abhorre les homosexuels. La première chose à laquelle un musulman pensera en pensant à une personne homosexuelle est Sodome et Gomorrhe. C'est dire à quel point ces gens sont arriérés. Leur religion les maintient fermement ancrés dans une époque révolue. N'attendez rien de mieux et vous ne serez pas déçu. L'illumination n'a pas encore atteint le Moyen-Orient (si jamais elle le fera). – © Mark Alexander

‘Treat People with Decency’: Roy Keane Attacks Staging of World Cup in Qatar

THE GUARDIAN: ‘To dismiss human rights flippantly … it’s not right,’ says Keane / ITV pundit was discussing controversy over OneLove armbands

Roy Keane was outspoken in his condemnation of staging the World Cup in Qatar while appearing on ITV’s coverage. Photograph: ITV
Roy Keane has condemned Fifa’s decision to allow the World Cup to be hosted in Qatar, in view of the country’s human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Speaking during ITV’s live coverage of Argentina v Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder summed up the ethical concerns felt by many regarding the controversial tournament. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar, while thousands of workers are alleged to have died during the construction of the tournament stadiums and infrastructure.

“The World Cup shouldn’t be here. It shouldn’t be here,” Keane said. “The corruption, regarding Fifa, you’ve got a country, the way they treat migrant workers, gay people.” » | Luke McLaughlin | Tuesday, November 22, 2022

'One Love' Campaign Hit by Threat of FIFA Sanctions | DW News

Nov 21, 2022 | The threat of sanctions have resulted in the seven European nations who had signed up to the One Love campaign, including England and Germany, announcing their decision to abandon plans to wear the rainbow-themed captain’s armbands.

The joint-statement, released just hours before England’s game opening 2022 World Cup group game against Iran was due to kick-off, cited the threat of disciplinary action from world football governing body FIFA as the reason for the decision.


Mustafa Qadri spoke so well, but one major point was missed here. The real problem goes deeper than Qatar. But nobody wants to talk about it. The real problem, at least regarding the LGBTQ+ community, lies in Islam itself and Islam's understanding and take on being gay. The Muslim world has a huge problem with homosexuality. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, gays are put to death. Qatar is no different. The buildings are marvellous and modern, and the country is high-tech and all that; but the mindset is mediæval. That is where the problem lies. – © Mark Alexander

‘Very Frustrated’: England and Wales Back Down over OneLove Armband

THE GUARDIAN: Seven countries issue joint statement after warning from Fifa / They say players could be booked or forced to leave the pitch

England’s Harry Kane wearing the OneLove armband in September. Photograph: The FA/PA
England, Wales and five other European nations have confirmed they will not wear the OneLove armband at the World Cup in Qatar, saying Fifa made clear they would face sporting sanctions and that their captains could be booked or even forced to leave the pitch.

Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland were the other countries that had planned to wear the rainbow armband in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal. Fifa has ordered all captains to wear armbands that promote other social messages.

A joint statement from the seven football federations said: “Fifa has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play. As national federations, we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings, so we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in Fifa World Cup games. » | David Hytner, Nick Ames and Sean Ingle in Doha | Monday, November 21, 2022

World Cup: Gay Fans 'Will Feel Safe'

Oct 13, 2022 | World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater told Sky News gay fans will be welcome to display affection and rainbow flags.