Al-Jazeera TV in Rare Criticism of Qatar: Our Freedom of Expression Is in Fact Freedom to Normalize Relations with Israel

Al-Jazeera TV show host Nazih Al-Ahdab expressed his frustration at Qatar's reception of Israeli delegations participating in sports events. It is "as if we have become part of this series, which presents the freedom of expression in Qatar - which is, in fact, the freedom for Qatar to normalize its relations with Israel," said the Al-Jazeera host, in rare criticism that was broadcast on October 26, 2018.

Nazih Al-Adhab: A picture that has surfaced shows, according to activists, an Israeli delegation at the Doha airport. This delegation is participating in the Artistic Gymnastic World Championships, which are being hosted by Qatar these days. I don't know what to say. These receptions [of Israelis] repeat themselves, the youths of Qatar protest against the normalization, but the normalization continues even through the window of sports. Then we, in our turn, criticize [the normalization], as if we have become part of this series, which presents the freedom of expression in Qatar – which is, in fact, the freedom for Qatar to normalize its relations with Israel.