Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), was an international meeting held on September 15, 2025, in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The summit was convened following an Israeli airstrike on September 9, 2025, that targeted a Hamas negotiation team in Doha. During the meeting, delegates addressed the attack on Qatar's sovereignty, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Palestinian issue. The summit concluded with resolutions passed by the OIC and the Arab League concerning collective security, solidarity, and international law.
OIC-Arab League Extraordinary Summit, September 15, 2025 - (Anadolu Agency)
Background
The joint extraordinary summit of the OIC and the Arab League was called after Israel’s September 9, 2025, airstrike targeting a Hamas negotiation team in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The Israeli warplanes struck a building where key Hamas leaders were located.
The attack resulted in the deaths of six people: the son of Hamas Political Bureau member Khalil al-Hayya, four other Hamas members, and one Qatari police officer. While senior Hamas officials were said to have survived the strike, it took place during a US-backed ceasefire negotiation between Hamas and Israel. The Hamas delegation was reportedly evaluating a US proposal that had been relayed via Qatar and Egypt at the time of the attack.
In a statement on September 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a new threat against Qatar, saying, "Either you expel the Hamas leaders or hand them over to justice, or we will do it ourselves." Following these developments, Qatar called for an emergency meeting of the OIC and the Arab League. With the support of Türkiye, the acting chair of the OIC, it was decided that the summit would be held at the head of state level in Doha on September 15.
The Summit Process
At the request of Qatar, member states of the OIC and the Arab League convened in Doha for an emergency summit on September 15, 2025. The summit was organized with the support of Türkiye, which holds the current presidency of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
This meeting was the third extraordinary OIC-Arab League summit held since Israel’s attacks on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, which later expanded to include other countries in the region such as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
In preparation for the summit, foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries met in Doha on September 14, 2025, to reach a consensus on the agenda. The attack on Qatar, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the Palestinian issue were established as the key topics for the summit.
Preparatory Meetings (September 13–14, 2025)
A preparatory meeting at the foreign minister level was held in Doha on September 13, 2025, where they worked on the draft resolutions that would be presented to the leaders at the summit.
On September 14, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit made statements. Taha emphasized the need for solidarity among Islamic nations to establish a Palestinian state and stop Israeli attacks. Aboul Gheit stated that the Doha summit must send a strong message against Israeli aggression, adding that the international community's silence was emboldening Israel.
On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also made a statement, saying that Israel’s "expansionist policies" had become the most fundamental problem in the region. Fidan identified two reasons for this policy: Israel's ambition to expand its territory in line with its "Greater Israel" ideal and its attempts to keep regional countries fragmented and weak.
During the preparatory discussions, Fidan held separate meetings with his counterparts from Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, and Pakistan. In these talks, they stressed that the Israeli attack on Qatar targeted not just Doha, but also regional peace.
Hakan Fidan Meets with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha - September 14, 2025 (Anadolu Agency)
Statements from the Secretaries-General
OIC Secretary-General Taha stressed that Arab-Islamic solidarity is essential to establish a Palestinian state and prevent Israeli attacks. He added that a draft resolution to be submitted to the UN General Assembly should revive the two-state solution process.
Arab League Secretary-General Aboul Gheit said the Doha summit needed to send a powerful message against Israeli aggression. He stated that the international community's silence was emboldening Israel and that attacks on civilians are war crimes for which they must be held accountable.
Beginning of the Summit
The joint extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League was held on September 15, 2025, in Doha, at the level of heads of state and government. Representatives from 57 OIC member countries and 22 Arab League member countries attended, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The summit was opened by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In his speech, the Emir stated that his country had been attacked and that this assault targeted not only Qatar but also regional security. The opening session also addressed how the attack posed a direct threat to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Before the official proceedings began, the participating leaders and heads of delegations took a family photo. Following this, the delegations moved to the session hall, and the summit talks commenced. After the opening, the official sessions, chaired by the Emir of Qatar, began, and the first leaders to speak focused on the attack’s impact on diplomacy, regional stability, and international law.
OIC-Arab League Extraordinary Summit, September 15, 2025 - (Anadolu Agency)
Summit Agenda
The main agenda item for the joint extraordinary summit of the OIC and the Arab League in Doha was Israel’s airstrike on September 9, 2025, in the Qatari capital. The attack, which targeted the Hamas negotiation team, directly impacted mediation efforts.
The summit participants concluded that the attack constituted a serious violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and regional peace. The attendees stated that the attack should be considered an assault on all Arab and Islamic countries.
The ongoing attacks in Gaza and the dire humanitarian conditions were also key topics on the agenda. It was noted that Israel's military operations were a "genocidal war" and carried the risk of forced displacement of civilians. Ongoing annexation and settlement activities in the West Bank were condemned as violations of international law and United Nations resolutions.
Additionally, the future of the Arab Peace Initiative was discussed, with participants stressing that Israel’s rejection of the initiative was reinforcing the cycle of violence in the region. The activation of collective security mechanisms was also on the agenda. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) decided to initiate the process of activating its joint defense mechanisms.
Statements from the Leaders
Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
In his opening speech, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stated that his country's capital had been subjected to a "treacherous and cowardly" attack. According to the Emir, the strike targeted a residence where Hamas leaders and their families were staying. The Emir stressed that with this attack, Israel was attempting to sabotage the ongoing negotiations. He also described Israel's efforts to turn the region into its sphere of influence as a "dangerous illusion." The operations against Gaza were characterized as a "war of extermination," and it was stated that Israel's goal was to make the region uninhabitable and forcibly displace its population.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
In his speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Israel’s "crimes" should be punished by the international community. Abbas emphasized that the Arab world must provide a "decisive and practical" response. He expressed that security could only be achieved with Israel's withdrawal to the 1967 borders and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Abbas also called for an end to the war in Gaza and the forced displacement of the population.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
In his speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Israel’s attack on the Hamas negotiation team in Qatar "has taken Israel's gangsterism to a different dimension." Erdoğan underscored that the global community should view this meeting as a "manifestation of the Islamic world's unconditional support for Qatar," and he emphasized that Türkiye "stands with its friendly and brotherly ally, Qatar."
Erdoğan described Israel as a "terrorist mentality feeding on chaos and blood, and a state in which it is embodied." He said that the Netanyahu government, "while continuing its massacres and genocide in Palestine, also aims to drag the region into instability."
The President stated that the Islamic world "has the resolve and means to thwart Israel’s expansionist ambitions." Erdoğan called for increased economic and diplomatic pressure, saying, "We must intensify our diplomatic efforts to increase the sanctions against Israel. I believe that Israel must also be economically squeezed."
He also noted that capabilities in the defense industry could be shared with brotherly countries, stating that "cooperation must be intensified to win the coming decades." At the end of his speech, Erdoğan stated that the struggle would continue until an independent Palestinian state with geographical integrity and East Jerusalem as its capital is established based on the 1967 borders.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi condemned Israel's "transgressive" aggression. Sisi stated that Israel's security could only be ensured by respecting the sovereignty of other states and international law. He stressed that targeting civilians and starving a population are unacceptable. He also stated that Israel’s actions went beyond diplomatic and military logic and had crossed red lines.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani proposed the establishment of a NATO-like collective security mechanism within the Islamic world. Sudani said that an attack on any Arab or Islamic country should be considered an attack on the entire region. He stated that a joint message should be conveyed to the UN Security Council at the summit and that a comprehensive roadmap for a permanent ceasefire could be prepared. Sudani described Israel’s attack on Qatar as a "violation of all humanitarian principles," adding that instability would increase if a deterrent collective stance was not taken.
King Abdullah II of Jordan
King Abdullah II of Jordan stated that the Doha attack proved that Israel poses an unlimited threat. King Abdullah said that the summit's response must be "clear, determined, and deterrent." He stated that Israel's expansionist policies in the West Bank were eliminating the two-state solution and that the war in Gaza must be ended and the displacement of Palestinians prevented.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that "unity and solidarity" among Muslim countries must be strengthened against Israeli attacks. Pezeshkian said that Israel "has violated sovereignty" with attacks not only on Qatar but also on Iran.
The President stated that the events in Gaza were the result of Israel’s "policies empowered by impunity" and that the weak response from the international community allowed Israel to continue its attacks. Pezeshkian stressed that Muslim countries must act together against these actions, making his call for unity not only on a religious basis but also on "common human values."
Other Countries
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for not only condemnations and declarations but also for the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel and the imposition of harsher sanctions. Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasized that the Palestinian issue is not only about Palestinians but also about the honor of all Islamic countries and the protection of international law. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the attack on Qatar was condemned in the strongest terms and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the two-state solution.
OIC-Arab League Extraordinary Summit, September 15, 2025 - (Anadolu Agency)
Final Communiqué
The final communiqué issued at the conclusion of the joint extraordinary summit of the OIC and the Arab League in Doha strongly condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar. The statement emphasized that the September 9, 2025, attack in Doha was not only on Qatar but should be considered an assault on all Arab and Islamic states. It stated that the attack was a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.
The key points of the communiqué included:
- Condemnation and Solidarity: Israel’s attack on Qatar was described as a “cowardly and illegal” act, and absolute solidarity with Qatar was affirmed.
- Opposition to New Realities: The statement rejected Israel's plans to create new de facto situations in the region and emphasized the need to stand against them.
- Forced Displacement and Starvation Policies: The displacement of Palestinians from their lands was deemed a crime against humanity and a policy of ethnic cleansing. The blockade, the use of starvation as a weapon, and the deprivation of humanitarian aid were defined as war crimes.
- UN Membership and Sanctions: The possibility of suspending Israel's UN membership was raised for discussion, and all states were called upon to impose sanctions and review diplomatic and economic relations to end Israel's impunity.
- Palestinian State and Peace Process: The communiqué expressed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the June 4, 1967 borders. In this regard, it was stressed that international recognition must be increased.
- Reconstruction of Gaza: A call was made for a conference on the reconstruction of Gaza with the participation of international donors, planned to be held in Cairo after a ceasefire is achieved.
- Collective Security: The communiqué referred to the Arab League's resolution titled “A Joint Vision for Security and Cooperation in the Region,” emphasizing the need to implement a collective security framework.
- International Law: The statement said that Israel's attempts at forced displacement, annexation, and occupation violate international law and UN resolutions. It also called for an end to arms supplies to Israel, the legal prosecution of those responsible, and compliance with the rulings of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
International Reactions
During the summit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they would continue to target Hamas leaders "wherever they may be." Netanyahu also said that the West Bank could be annexed in response to some countries' attempts to recognize Palestine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held meetings in Israel, concurrent with the summit. It was announced that the Washington administration had not been informed of the attack on Qatar beforehand and was displeased with the situation. Rubio stated that the disarming of Hamas and the release of hostages were prerequisites for lasting peace. US President Donald Trump announced that Qatar is "an important US ally" and that Israel should act with more caution. Trump emphasized Qatar's role as a regional mediator.
On September 11, 2025, the United Nations Security Council discussed the attack on Qatar and condemned it in a press statement. The council stressed that Qatar's sovereignty must be respected and stated its support for Qatar's role in regional mediation. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) decided to strengthen joint defense and deterrence mechanisms among its member states, stating that Israel's attacks threaten regional stability.
Additionally, as part of the summit's final communiqué, a call was made for states to review their diplomatic and economic relations with Israel.
