Article content continuedPhoto by MANUEL ELIAS/UNITED NATIONS/AFP via Getty ImagesConsider as well that in 2017, the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt all severed relations with Qatar. They suspended trade and closed their airspace to the country, accusing it of supporting terrorism, among other matters. Since the Saudis may be warming to ties with Israel, while Egypt has a long standing peace agreement with it, Qatar may be feeling isolated. In 2019 an Israeli athlete was feted with Israel’s flag and anthem after winning gold in Doha. Both countries have been working together around humanitarian aid to Gaza and, most importantly, Doha was involved in negotiating a truce between Israel and Hamas this summer after a round of rocket attacks by the terror group.

Source: National Post October 16, 2020 09:56 UTC