ISRAEL HAYOM
Arab states cut ties with Qatar over its support of terrorism
by staff
June 5, 2017

In an unprecedented breach between the most powerful members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen severed diplomatic ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of destabilizing the Persian Gulf. The coordinated move dramatically escalates the simmering tensions in the Gulf. Qatar has long faced criticism from its Arab neighbors over its support of Islamist groups, especially the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood, which has been outlawed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Qatar repeatedly and strongly denied it funds extremist groups. However, it remains a key financial patron of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and has been the home of exiled Hamas official Khaled Mashaal since 2012. READ MORE

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