The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan strongly condemned the Israeli Zionist state for what it called the “cowardly and treacherous” airstrike in Qatar on September 9. It says the assault was Israel’s state terrorism with US imperialism’s relentless support. The attack violated international law, Arab sovereignty, and the Palestinian right to self-determination.

Israel launched the airstrike on a building in a residential area in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Six people died in the attack, but Israel failed to kill its primary target, the Hamas leadership.

According to BAYAN, the attack in Doha, which mediates the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, revealed Israel’s role as a “ruthless accomplice of American imperialism in the Middle East.” Qatar is considered a US “ally” and, in fact, hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East. However, the US did not condemn Israel’s criminal act and even praised as “worthy” its objective of eliminating Hamas.

“The assault of Israel (on Qatar) is a criminal violation of international humanitarian law and all norms of humanitarian conduct,” according to Bayan. It violates the UN Charter, which prohibits aggression against sovereign nations, specifically Qatar with its “neutral” status, the targeting of individuals involved in diplomatic talks, and endangerment of civilians, it said.

Bayan also denounced Israel for sabotaging ceasefire negotiations and further prolonging the war. “Its objective was to provoke disunity among Gulf countries and to show that no country was safe from US-backed Zionist aggression,” it added.

Bayan called for strong unity among countries resisting US imperialism.

“We join the global movement in demanding immediate sanctions on ‘Israel’, including arms embargoes and economic isolation.” It also urges the expulsion of various U.S. military bases worldwide. It reaffirms its unwavering support to Palestine as part of the broader fight against imperialism.

“We honor the resistance and resilience of Hamas and the Palestinian people, who continue to fight decades of genocide and betrayal,” it said. “The struggle for a free Palestine is inextricably linked to the Filipinos’ fight against U.S. imperialism in the Philippines.”