QATAR'S 10 MILLION USD DONATION TO GAZAN WORKERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000547 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2019 TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG QA SUBJECT: QATAR'S 10 MILLION USD DONATION TO GAZAN WORKERS TO GO THROUGH UN AND QATARI CHARITIES REF: A. DOHA 526 ¶B. DOHA 86 Classified By: CDA Mirembe L. Nantongo for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- (U) KEY POINTS -------------- -- Qatar Charity's Vice Chairman Abdullah Hussain Al-Nameh reported September 1 that his organization and Qatar's Red Crescent Society have been selected to administer Amir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani's 10 million USD donation to Gazan workers and fishermen, which the latter announced at the start of Ramadan. -- Al-Nameh revealed that the two humanitarian organizations were chosen for their excellent relations with the UN and International Red Cross, suggesting these international bodies will play a role in delivering the aid to Gaza. -------------- (C) COMMENTS -------------- -- (C) The Amir's decision to distribute the aid through humanitarian groups contradicts earlier press reports that the money would be paid to Hamas (see ref A),but tracks with what Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani told NEA A/S Feltman in an August 26 phone call. -- (C) Qatar Charity was selected in April to coordinate Qatar's 40 million USD gift to Gaza with the UN. Although Qatar Charity has a field office in Gaza, it will require the assistance of the UN's humanitarian infrastructure to successfully disburse the aid. -- (C) This approach is also consistent with Minister of State for International Cooperation and Conferences Khalid Al-Attiyah's statement to Ambassador February 3 that Qatar is interested in partnering with the UN in Gaza (see ref B). End Key Points and Comments. ¶1. (U) In a September 1 press statement, the Vice Chairman of Qatar Charity, Abdullah Hussain Al-Nameh, revealed that his organization and Qatar's Red Crescent Society were selected by Amir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to administer the 10 million USD donation to Gazan fishermen and workers announced by the Amir at start of Ramadan, according to a local press report. Calling the mission a "noble humanitarian contribution," Al-Nameh explained that the humanitarian agencies were chosen because of their "distinguished relationship" with the UN and International Red Cross, implying that these international organizations will play a role in disbursing the aid in Gaza. ¶2. (SBU) Post has requested a meeting for Poloff with Qatar Charity and will report any details on the arrangements septel. Nantongo