Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi, Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula, recently attended the Dialogue with the Arab World in Berlin at the invitation of the German Foreign Ministry. He was the only media leader from Qatar present at this event which took place from September 22 to 28, 2024. The meeting included discussions with officials, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, and media institutions in both Berlin and Frankfurt. The main focus of the dialogue was on German foreign policy in the Near and Middle East, particularly in relation to conflicts in regions such as Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
During the dialogue, there was a critical analysis of Germany’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Germany is highly respected for its humanitarian efforts towards refugees from Arab countries, its unwavering support for Israel in its actions against the Palestinian people has been a cause for concern. The participants in the dialogue were surprised by Germany’s support for Israel, despite knowing that the weapons supplied to Israel were being used to cause harm to innocent civilians, particularly children and women. This discrepancy in policy was a contentious issue among the participants.
The media delegation led by Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi also had the opportunity to explore the historic city of Berlin, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building, the East Side Gallery, and the Museum Island. They also had the chance to visit Deutsche Welle, a prestigious media organization, to learn more about their coverage of the Middle East. Additionally, they met with members of the German Bundestag and civil society organizations to discuss various issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following their time in Berlin, the media delegation moved on to Frankfurt where they were introduced to the city’s key attractions and had meetings with members of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany. They also visited the Frankfurt Book Fair and had discussions with journalists from the Frankfurt newspaper on the importance of fair and transparent coverage, particularly in regard to the conflict in Gaza. Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi commended the visit program, noting the meticulous organization and the genuine desire of the German government to engage in dialogue and address the concerns of people in the Arab region.
Overall, the Dialogue with the Arab World in Berlin provided an invaluable opportunity for media leaders from Arab countries to engage in discussions with German experts and institutions on foreign policy in the Middle East. The contentious issue of Germany’s support for Israel in the face of ongoing conflicts in the region was a focal point of the dialogue. The visit also allowed participants to gain insights into German media coverage of the Middle East and to explore key attractions in Berlin and Frankfurt. Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi’s positive feedback on the visit program highlights the importance of such dialogues in fostering mutual understanding and addressing critical issues in international relations.
