Five delegations walk out during Isaac Herzog speech in Baku as Qatar Emir stays

Key Points:

• Representatives from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Authority walked out during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech at the CICA summit in Baku, while Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani remained seated, drawing attention due to Qatar's lack of formal diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Iranian media reported that the Qatari delegation also left the hall, but eyewitnesses contradicted this, suggesting only some members may have exited while the Emir stayed; no official Qatari statement has clarified the discrepancy.
• Analysts suggest Iran's portrayal of Qatar as opposing Israel more strongly than it does serves Tehran's interests by maintaining its relationship with Doha while satisfying domestic and regional anti-Israel sentiments.
• Qatar maintains close ties with Iran and Western countries, acting as a mediator in regional conflicts, which may explain the Emir's decision to remain during Herzog's speech despite political sensitivities.
• Herzog's visit to Azerbaijan included meetings to strengthen regional cooperation, and his flight to Baku via Azerbaijan's national carrier was allowed over Turkish airspace under commercial flight rules, despite Turkey's restrictions on Israeli government aircraft.