Palestinians attack Qatari aid official in Gaza

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip attacked a Qatari official, who was visiting the enclave to announce a major grant to a local hospital.

By: World Israel News Staff

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip besieged Qatari ambassador and head of Qatar’s Gaza reconstruction committee, Mohammed Al-Emadi, after a press conference at Dar al-Shifa Hospital during which he announced the details of a forthcoming grant. The attackers forced Al-Emadi to flee, reportedly threatening his life, reported pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat.

The melee ensued when a hospital cleaning worker asked Al-Emadi about unpaid salaries, a problem that spans five months.

Al-Emadi responded that only Palestinian Authority (PA) officials, and not Qataris, are authorized to discuss salaries, and that payment for such services falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Health.

According to sources that spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, Emadi’s responses angered the workers who then assaulted him. Al-Emadi fled as the workers threw objects at him and tore pictures of the Emir of Qatar.

Officials of the Ministry of Health in Gaza had apparently ordered the cleaning workers to attend Al-Emadi’s press conference.

Two weeks ago, Al-Emadi pledged $9 million on Qatar’s behalf to reconstruction efforts in the enclave. While Qatar does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, Al-Emadi openly admitted, “When you want to do work in Gaza, you have to go through the Israelis. Without the help of Israel, nothing happens.”

Al-Emadi at that time described his relationship with his Israeli counterpart, Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, as “good.”