US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani to tone down the rhetoric of Al Jazeera, the state-owned media network, about the war in Gaza , according to a report by Axios media agency.
Blinken made this request during his visit to Doha on October 13, 2023, as part of a broader effort to persuade Qatar to change its public posture toward Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and is considered a terrorist organization by the US and Israel.
Blinken expressed his concern that Al Jazeera’s coverage of the conflict could escalate tensions in the region and undermine the prospects of a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. He also praised Qatar’s role in mediating between Hamas and Israel and securing the release of two American hostages held by Hamas.
Al Jazeera has been criticized by Israel and some Arab states for being biased in favor of Hamas and against Israel. Al Jazeera has also been accused of inciting violence and spreading misinformation during the war in Gaza, which killed more than 500 people.
Al Jazeera is one of the most influential media outlets in the Middle East and has a large audience worldwide. It is funded by the Qatari government, which has close ties with Hamas and other Islamist groups. Qatar has also provided humanitarian and financial aid to Gaza, which is under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt.
Blinken’s visit to Qatar was part of his diplomatic tour in the region to consolidate the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that was brokered by Egypt with the help of Qatar and the US. Blinken also met with leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss ways to advance the peace process and support the reconstruction of Gaza.
Source: Axios : BBC : The New York Times
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