Two countries, different statements
After the terror attack near Bondi Beach, governments around the world were quick to express their condemnation, offer condolences to the families of those who had been murdered, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Next to the standard rhetoric, subtle nuances can shine a light on a government’s policies, beliefs, and worldview. The statements of two Gulf countries show the differences in attitude: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
On December 14, 2025, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued the following statement under the title “Qatar condemns attack on beach near Sydney, Australia”:
The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that took place on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia, which resulted in deaths and injuries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm stance against violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives or reasons.
The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
On the same day, the UAE Foreign Ministry issued the following statement under the title “UAE Condemns in Strongest Terms Terrorist Attack at Gathering in Sydney, Australia”:
The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that occurred at a Jewish gathering in the city of Sydney, Australia, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the UAE’s strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.
The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Australia, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
The statements are rather similar, but the omissions speak volumes. The UAE condemns the terror attack in the strongest terms and reveals the identity of the targets. Qatar, on the other hand, simply speaks of an attack and does not refer to the fact that Jews were targeted.
Perhaps it was a mistake? An embarrassing failure that does not represent Qatar’s position? Well, then here is what happened after the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester. The UAE issued the following statement on October 2, 2025, under the title “UAE Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack on Synagogue in Manchester”:
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue in Manchester, United Kingdom, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to innocent people.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism targeting innocent civilians.
The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of the United Kingdom over this heinous attack, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.
Again, the UAE strongly condemns a terrorist attack and reveals that Jews were the target. Again, the UAE does not mince words. Perhaps Qatar used the same terminology to condemn the Manchester terror attack? We will never know, because they only issued one statement that day: a strong condemnation of Israel intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla. The terror attack in Manchester did not even merit a response.
These two statements speak volumes about where both countries stand. If you would think that this can be clarified simply because the UAE enjoys diplomatic ties with Israel, you would be mistaken. In fact, the UAE has issued numerous statements criticizing the Israeli government over the last two years. But the UAE is rather consistent in its condemnation of terror attacks against Jews. Qatar claims that its antagonistic stance has nothing to do with Jews, it simply has an issue with Israeli policy. However, these words do not conceal Qatar’s actual thoughts.
For instance, on December 9, 2025, it did have much to say about Israel’s “storming” of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem. No one was killed, no one injured. And yet, it devoted 162 words of condemnation to this event, while only reserving 75 words for its lackluster condemnation of a terror attack on Jews in Sydney during a Hannukah event. It was perfunctory, nothing more. And, again, it had nothing to say about Manchester in October.
That does not mean that Qatar cannot condemn terrorism, because it can. On December 13, 2025, it condemned a terrorist attack on a US-Syrian patrol near Palmyra. In this case, an attack is defined as a terrorist attack and the identity of the targets is mentioned clearly.
Of course, Qatar cannot condemn attacks on Jews. It is for the same reason it could not condemn October 7th. As much as it pretends, Qatar does not distinguish between the Israeli government and Jews, its actions in the examples I mentioned above speak for themselves. There is no ambiguity, only clarity. Whatever it does, Qatar remains the home of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sometimes, a statement reveals more through what it omits.
