Arab leaders deliver tough talk but not much action on Israel during Qatar summit

Attendees of the emergency Arab-Islamic leaders' summit to discuss the Israeli attack on Hamas on Qatari territory, pose for a family photo, in Doha, Qatar September 15. Qatar News Agency/Reuters

They gathered in Doha – the leaders of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – to show support for Qatar in the wake of Israel’s strike last week on a meeting of Hamas leaders in the city.

When the summit ended, they issued a wordy communique condemning Israel and reaffirming solidarity with Qatar. Missing in the communique, however, was any concrete action.

It was an exercise in futility, underscoring how great wealth has not translated into real power. That despite the huge strides made by countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, they are e