Landsman Declines Qatari Ambassador Invite’s for Staff to Visit Qatar

Cincinnati, OH – This week, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) announced he sent a letter the Ambassador of Qatar to the United States declining the Embassy’s invitation for staff to visit Qatar. 

Congressman Landsman sent a letter to His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, the Ambassador of Qatar to the United States, after a member of his staff was invited on a trip to the country through the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Program. In his letter, Congressman Landsman declined the invitation, citing Qatar’s gross mishandling of the hostage crisis in Gaza and failure to pressure Hamas to end the war. Congressman Landsman goes on to urge Qatar to make progress on key issues to create a better future for Israel and the Palestinians.

Congressman Landsman’s letter reads, in part: 

“Normally, I encourage my staff to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about our allies and identify further opportunities for collaboration. It is essential to my role as a Member of Congress. However, Qatar’s gross mishandling of the hostage crisis in Gaza and failure to sufficiently pressure Hamas into ending the war prevents me from allowing staff to visit your country…

“This close relationship between the United States and Qatar makes it particularly disappointing to continuously observe your sheltering and support of terror organizations, including terrorists who have killed Americans. While I support our strategic partnership, there is bipartisan, bicameral Congressional interest in reevaluating it – an effort I am hesitant to support yet am open to considering if we are unable to make progress on key issues. 

“In lieu of Reggie visiting Qatar, I would be happy to discuss what can be done to end the war, return the hostages, and get humanitarian aid to people in need in Gaza. I should hope that we share a goal of creating a stable, peaceful Middle East.”

Read Congressman Landsman’s full letter here.