The forum sought to cement a kind of meeting place between some far-right populist political Islamic voices and more left leaning voices involved in issues in the region. It also was supportive of Palestinian issues. For instance, there was a panel on “Palestine, Syria and Yemen” organized by Brookings Doha. The Doha meeting was in contrast to the October Manama Dialogue conference- a Gulf confab similar to the Doha Forum, but including a different set of diplomats from countries that are more critical of Iran and are closer to Saudi Arabia- which took place amid the recent visits of Israeli ministers to the UAE and Oman. As such, at Manama, Israel had been on the agenda in a more positive light. In Doha it was the opposite. Israel was portrayed as isolated, while countries such as Turkey and Iran that are harshly critical of Israel, had the spotlight. Saeb Erakat, the Palestinian negotiator, said that Palestinians had done everything to achieve peace. “We even recognized Israel as a state.”UN Sec Gen @antonioguterres @ the #Dohaforum saying he sees the “winds of hope” around the world, but also multilateralism is the only way. Also repeating his message on #climatechange & #GlobalWarming pic.twitter.com/8Og8nwJx7N
— Peter Dobbie (@peterdobbie1) December 16, 2018
In general the Doha Forum accomplished what it sought out to do, giving Qatar a platform to show itself off and network with powerful countries. China, for instance, discussed its Belt and Road initiative. Qatar also sought to highlight humanitarian issues, inviting Nadia Murad, the Yazidi genocide survivor, and also hosting discussions about drought in the Sahel, and refugees. Qatar was also doing outreach to Congressional Democrats, sensing that after the US elections the Congress will now have a Democratic majority in the House and this could benefit Qatar. According to reports at least six Congressional Democrats attended. This was criticized by some on the right in the US, such as Conservative Review which called it a “clandestine weekend trip,” although it wasn’t clear how clandestine it was if they posed for photos while there. Security Studies Group slammed the event as featuring “terror supporters.” But Americans across the aisle came as well. Sean Spicer spoke and Rick Wilson, the GOP political strategist, tweeted that it was a real pleasure to attend. “Qatar is a stunning, vibrant nation.”Jared Kushner hasn't met with the Palestinians for more than a year. Here's an account of their last, disastrous meeting, as told by @SaebErekat at the #DohaForum today. https://t.co/iupCYuHfLq pic.twitter.com/CqrKCh5EpY
— Tom Gara (@tomgara) December 16, 2018
Half dozen congressional Democrats in Qatar, Saudi archenemy, today for the #dohaforum: @DonaldNorcross @RepDanKildee @jimchines @RepBera @RepBrendanBoyle @RepAndreCarson
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) December 15, 2018