Are rallying around him. Some of the key endorsements we saw were senator tim scott endorsing donald trump before the New Hampshire primary and then its a congresswoman nancy mace on the sidelines until recently and congressman chuck duncan said he did not plan to endorse before the primary. They are all now Backing Trump area its a sign the establishment things trump is the presumptive nominee and they want to be on his team before this key primary. Host youre covering it for the state newspaper. We will leave this program at this point but you can watch it any time if you go to website cspan. Org. We take you live that remarks by the Prime Minister of cutter on the israelhamas war. Live coverage here at cspan2. His ex was a serve as a since march 2023 also retaining his position as foreign minister which is held for eight years now beginning in january 2016. The Prime Minister is not all around the world for his leadership in conflict mediation and he has remarkable track record of success. In just the last few months the Prime Minister has helped secure the release of 100 israel hostages, the delivery of aid to gaza, mediated u. S. Iran president exchange, facilitated the release of ten american hostages in venezuela, and negotiated the release of ukrainian children from russia, among other accomplishments. As the middle east is has pld into renewed conflict following hamas october 7 terrorist attack on israel, concerns of escalation are growing. Hezbollah in lebanon, shia she militias in iraq in syria, the houthis in yemen all represent potential drivers a further escalation. It is against this background we come together today andize the s position, his countries position as a key ally of the United States and role as a pivotal mediator in the region, a position that is more crucial ever. Your excellency, it is a privilege to welcome you to the Atlantic Council. We are fortunate to be joined today by two leading journalists, david ignatius, Washington Post associate Editor Foreign Affairs columnist and authorf novels. Andrea mitchell, chief washington correspondent and chief Foreign Affairs correspondent for nbc news and host of m reports. Mr. Prime minister, there are no too better journalists and no more qualified journalist to join you in conversation. Soha join us, and with that i wl turn over to you, david and andrea. Thank you very much, fred. My thanks to the Atlantic Council. Thank you, Sheikh Mohammed for coming and taking questions after long weekend of negotiations in paris. We know that you are in paris with the representatives from the United States, egypt and foe release of the hostages. But theres a plan, a framework that you will agree to this weekend to release the hostages in agreement with a phased pause in the fighting, women and children first, and to continue this in phases as you proceed with aid going in as well. This is being presented as a understand now to hamas. In the past theyve insisted on an immediate permanent ceasefire before any hostages can be released. Do you think theres a chance they might agree to this, are with their veto be a dealbrke first, i would like to thank you forgive me this opportunity to speak your today at the Atlantic Council and to be with both of you here and david. Actually, i think that right now i would describe the progress that we are making in the last couple weeks is where in a much better place than when we were a few weeks ago. We have seen that the whole process is working in november with the release of hostages and, unfortunately, this process has fallen apart at that time. The increase of the war made it more complex as you have highlighted, that there was a clear demand of a permanent ceasefire and of the negotiations which i believe that we moved from that place to place where potential might lead to a ceasefire permanently in the future. And this is what we are all aiming for. Because weve seen all sort of suffering of the people in gaza and we seen all the destruction. Now, our negotiators are trying our best to get the go should solution where they can bring the hostages safely back to their homes, has also stopping the bombing in gaza and cessation of killing of civilians. We see number increasing dramatically, and i mean, what i think that we are seeing n in result to get the hostages back, but the process is the one which is getting them back. Now, on what have, andrea, i dont know where to get all the details on proposal and a framework, but i can say you are well informed. [laughing] we have i think yesterday was Good Progress made to get things back in shape and to at least to lay a foundation for the way forward. We cannot say that this make is in better shape very soon but were hoping actually to get them to a place where they engage constructively in the because we think that in todays world i think that that would be the only way to get the situation and we hope that both parties are take this opportunity to get of course, to make the war stop but also to get the hostages back. Let me ask you as a followup, whether if the United States retaliates against iran for the attack in jordan that killed at least three american soldiers and thousands more injured, if that were to happen to you think that would scuttle the deal . First of all, andrea, i express my condolences today to the secretary for the loss of their three soldiers, and were hoping that spitted to secretary blinken. To secretary blinken, yeah. Soldiers recover soon and, of course, the attack that happened in jordan will keep also undermining their force of coalition on to isis is that something that can be acceptable. Actually what we been wanting from is we been wanted wy one that this war has the potential of expanding and spill over into region, and were seeing this movie got unfortunately in the last three months and a half. I hope that nothing wouldine wht jeopardize the process, yet it will definitely have an impact one way or another will have an impact on the region of security. And we hope that things will get contained and Sheikh Mohammed, you said earlier it at your to andrea has question that youre waiting for an answer from hamas, to this question of whether theyre willing to accept prolonged pause infighting but not a permanent end of the war, which israel is i understand is not ready to offer. What if hamas says in no . Whats plan b here . Because a situation as you know better than anyone on the ground in gaza is horrific. Well, i think that, david, first, putting an end for this war now, its becoming not only a demand of the people, in the region, getting the others. We have seen the number of victims. We cannot punish an entire population for an act of small group. Zr now, what would be the plan as an alternative for the steel we have to see another way for, for another was to get to a breakthrough where we can get together. We cannot, we are an intermediary party here. We are not party of this conflict, and were trying our best to bridge the gap as a framework yesterday being agreed upon with all the parties was a framework based o israelis and proposal from hamas and we try to blend things together to come up with some source of region granda brings anybody together. Now, we dont know and we cannot predict what hamas respond will be and we are sure that will be faced with some challenges and obstacles, but, it is not an easy process since we impart since day one in the war, but we are committed to continue to Carry Forward and to come up with some solution that provide if they say no, are you prepared to pressure them . You have a lot of leverage on hamas. David, this is actually, this point that your phrase, i been hearing this a lot about the leverage and the pressure, that qatari needs to be understand clued in this context. As mediao bring the parties to bridge the gaps between them, pressuring them, brushing both of them by work, by meeting, by commitment, by addressing the issues with some solutions. Thats the pressure on bridge. Beyond this leverage, we dont see that qatari is to overpower that can impose something on this party or the other party to bring them to that place. Basically, were using our good offices to connect, to bridge gaps, to put solutions, to come up with some alternatives. Thats what cut or has as an ability. In this way has worked, has worked previously in the process, has worked in process between u. S. And iran. Has worked in process between u. S. And taliban and has been working with russia and ukraine children. So thats the way that qatari is operating. Sheikh mohammed, israel has today released evidence supporting its claim that at least 12 employees of the u. N. Relief agency, unrwa, had participated or supported the october 7 massacre, and evidence is compelling enough that u. N. Fired them, that the United States and of the countries have cut off funding temporarily while it is being investigated. Doesnt this validate israels claim against the u. N. , which secondly knesset is the only game in town for getting aid in . Unit, the implications are that there will be to get the agent which is so critical for the cozzens, the palestinians, the civilians, and critical for the hostages. Actually, the role of the u. N. Is very important in that front. We have been seeing the suffering that they have been facing with funding. Thats happened to them. Not only but given the shortage in funding thats happened to them in the last few years. Its the only agency that can provide help and aid for those. There are claims again some of the stuff, as i recall, stuff has been involved in this. This agency needs be investigated. Measures according to the chart above cannot be punished because of the act of some employees as long as the are complying with speedy including kidnapping and woman . According to the allegation. Well, no. None of the first fallout we dont know about the allegation yet. Investigation has not come out yet. Its a behavioral, individual or a group, Smaller Group of people among tens of thousands who are working, cannot be like the way to label the entires all adopting such act. We believe in the importance of the u. N. We believe in the importance of unrwa as an agency, and we believe also we have confidence they will follow what their roles are, or having them to follow. I mean, they are taking all the measures. They are investigating and they fired them this morning, so this is at least they are doing the part as an agency, but it cannot be for the entire agency. The nucleus Party Agreement this, did israel agree to accelerate the aid deliveries which would be through the u. N. S actually, look, unfortunately, if this is something that we have been seeing. Thats, you know, its not a way to use to mention a as a pressure on the people from starvation. Weve seen the suffering that they are going through is something on president weve before in any conflict. And just let us picture this. The only conflict zone with the people have nowhere to go, have no shelters. Even with the safe zones that they been advocating for them since the start of the conflict, they been bombed in those safe quarters come in the safe zones and there are no less safe place for them. This should at least be a part of any deal yet, fortunate it is being used as a bargaining chip only. Sheikh mohammed, as you said at the outset, we are on the edge of a much wider war that could involve the United States, iran proxies, maybe even iran. So want to ask you to my questions. First, after this attack that killed three americans in northern jordan, is qatari prepared to condemn the attack as something that is wrong . Well, actually i just mentioned that, we condemn any act that try to, first of all, to undermine the security and stability of the region, estranging the security of a a country like jordan, or even killing soldiers were part of a coalition that we are a member. So whats not something can be acceptable. Yet, we are saying that in order to get and to rescue the region from being going through like more and more suffering, through more escalation, find a solution and put an whats happening. Thats a key thing. So you for favored at every stage mediation, diplomacy and deescalation. I want to ask you if you are playing any media or a roll now with the houthis, and what messages the work of is to iran with which you have good relations. While well actually, theo mediation, i roll were playing with the houthis right now, but we are in continuous conversation with iran about the region and escalation. Were continuing in conversatiou say to iran . That we would like them links and relation all the forces, not to get the situation out of control as you just mentioned about the houthis, whats happening with the trade, international trade, something affecting all of us, freedom of navigation, something very important for my country, for the entire region, for the world. And something unacceptable to be messed up with. Re saying that te situation is born appear, and everyone unfortunately is as weve seen what happened yesterday with the attack and telling the americans is the result of being, trying to do some operations here and there, to undermine the region of security or to ensure some pressure with the killing of the soldiers. In leaked audio on Israel Channel 12, Prime Minister netanyahu you can be heard criticizing your country, criticizing how to pick he says, i dont think qatari for the previous hostage releases. Why . Because of me qatari is essentially no different from the u. N. It is essentially no different from the red cross and in a way it is even more problematic. Does that make it harder for you to deal with israel as you did with israel this weekend in pairs . Well, honestly, andrea, i dont want to comment on such a statement. And were not expecting thanks from them or from anyone. We understand our role. We believe its important. We have been very honest from the beginning. We have been very transparent with everyone, and our role as proven that, is getting results and not just putting out some statements or exploitation. And being similar to the u. N. After the Red Cross Organization so we are among them. Prime minister has also said that hes against a palestinian state and that his goal is to eliminate hamas leadership and its fighters as part of his military campaign. Do you think that is possible without jeopardizing the lives of the hostages . Well, first of all, the only way forward for us to have a peaceful region is thats what carter stood for. Thats what we are leaving. So we believe the entire region has. The twostate solution well, of course, need like partners on the other side. If we see a leader on the israeli side who is opposing such a solution, and whats the alternative . Welcome he would ask you how can we live side by side with people who are dedicated to our elimination works so can they be a twostate solution as long well, its not where hamas, the obstacles of twostate solution that can we didnt see anything in committed from there. In 2001 when our Peace Initiative was p israel agree to at least engage in a process at that time was, or the israeli government. I think that is not opposing the twostate solution. Its that something that happened since seventh of october. It was happening before that took place. So for us as arabic countries, as my country we are country which believes in peace. We support the palestinian cause. We support to make People Living sidebyside together. When we have seen hope in the 90s after madrid and also,st cn the goal that opened up office, trade office and we had negotiation at that time. Entree relation at that time. Yet, weve seen that the other party for peace wast serious at the time. Thats when qatari decided just to close down this channel and just keep the ongoing wking channel. But getting back to hamas, hamas is dedicated to eliminating israel. So doesnt hamas had to be out of gaza before they can peaceful coexistence . Well, look, i i want, you , this dedication of eliminating israel, we know that now the■s only way forward is twostate solution, is People Living sidebyside. Now, the weather i accepting this, i believe this is, should be, you know, we should deal with them in a very positive manner. But the ones or not a principle, what is the alternative with providing for the people who are willing to accept this . Thats the key issue. Your excellency, i want to ask to my questions about what we have described as the day terrible war and what governance would look like. The first is whether you imagine that hamas would play a role in the governance of gaza, of an eventual palestinian state . That. L would strongly oppose what would qatars position be . Well, our position that the fate of the pelicans should remain at the hands of the they are the ones who should decide the way forward. As we see that the way forward that cannot be addressed directly from the west bank. And there should be one government that take care of the west bank together. We have the Palestinian Authority, whatever they are willing to do, but yet this is the decision of the palestinians. The palestinians actions. Those of the ones who can decide who should govern them or not. Neither qatari know israel or anyone i believe in the positions to impose on them Something Else are what we believe is the right for them. I take it from your earlier comments in answer to andrea that you think hamasuld accept israels right to exist as the price of being part of the future. Is that a fair statement . Well, i think the statement that im saying that everyone, now, i will just take a step back. Whether its hamas, qatari, or any political party, this ideology is an idea. For you, to challenge this idea is to present a better idea. And the better idea is a twostate solution. And now whoever is opposing the twostate solution as the majority isgreed to, i think the people themselves will have the answer to that. Thats why im saying that were not in position to decide on health of the palestinian people. They have, they can decide on their own. And we believe that the only