Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA66
2009-01-27 13:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

QATAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PUSH BOYCOTT OVER GAZA

Tags:  PREL ECON KBCT KPAL KWBG QA 
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VZCZCXRO5910
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDO #0066 0271305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271305Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8664
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS DOHA 000066 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KBCT KPAL KWBG QA
SUBJECT: QATAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PUSH BOYCOTT OVER GAZA

--------------
(U) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- Qatar's press reports that students at Qatar University
seek to boycott Western firms, including Starbucks, that
"support Israel."

-- The University's Administration reportedly has told
students that any decision to close outlets such as Starbucks
on campus rests with the GOQ, which has not commented on the
matter.

--------------
(SBU) COMMENTS
--------------

-- There is no evidence at this stage to suggest that a
boycott as described above would succeed.

-- This movement is a reminder that the GOQ's stoking the
flames of Arab public discontent with Al Jazeera's unbalanced
coverage of events in Gaza -- and Qatar's shuttering of the
Israeli Trade Office -- was bound to embolden public
expression of discontent with Israel and its Western backers,
including the U.S.

End Key Points and Comments.

UNCLAS DOHA 000066

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KBCT KPAL KWBG QA
SUBJECT: QATAR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PUSH BOYCOTT OVER GAZA

--------------
(U) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- Qatar's press reports that students at Qatar University
seek to boycott Western firms, including Starbucks, that
"support Israel."

-- The University's Administration reportedly has told
students that any decision to close outlets such as Starbucks
on campus rests with the GOQ, which has not commented on the
matter.

--------------
(SBU) COMMENTS
--------------

-- There is no evidence at this stage to suggest that a
boycott as described above would succeed.

-- This movement is a reminder that the GOQ's stoking the
flames of Arab public discontent with Al Jazeera's unbalanced
coverage of events in Gaza -- and Qatar's shuttering of the
Israeli Trade Office -- was bound to embolden public
expression of discontent with Israel and its Western backers,
including the U.S.

End Key Points and Comments.


1. (U) According to January 27 press reports, students of
Qatar University are pursuing an economic boycott of American
and Western firms that support Israel in solidarity with a
boycott movement in nearly a dozen other (unidentified)
countries.


2. (U) Engineering student Ibrahim Saad, an organizer of the
boycott in Qatar, told the press he and other students thus
far have identified a half dozen firms, including Starbucks
and The Coffee Shop, "known to be outright supporters of
Israel." Saad said he and like-minded students aim to
"mobilize public support" sufficient enough "to close down
(these) business operations in Qatar."


3. (U) Saad claims "overwhelming support" for his position
from other students at Qatar University. He says it is
inconceivable that Qataris support businesses that build
Jewish settlements on Palestinian land after Israel "brutally
killed" Palestinian children.


4. (U) Qatar University officials, however, reportedly
informed student organizers that they would not close
targeted outlets on the school's campus, arguing that closing
shops such as Starbucks is a decision that rests with the
Government of Qatar. The GOQ to date has not commented on
the matter.
LeBaron