Israel says it could be interested in joining the coalition boycotting Qatar, welcomes the decision

Israel has welcomed the decision made by five Arab nations, and Maldives, to sever ties with Qatar, accusing it of encouraging terrorism and extremism.

In addition to Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Bahrain cut ties with Doha on Monday, with some even cutting transport links.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Israel could be interested in joining this alliance.

Noting that “there is no doubt that this opens very many possibilities of cooperation in the struggle against terrorism”, Lieberman said that “the state of Israel is really open to cooperation.”

“The ball at the moment is with the other side”, he added, highlighting that U.S. President Donald Trump, during his visit spoke “about a coalition against terror”.

Noting that the states had cut ties with Qatar for supporting groups “aimed at destabilizing the region”, Lieberman said that this makes it clear that “even Arab states they understand that the real danger to the whole region is not Israel, not the Jews, not Zionism but terrorism”.

Maldives, that established diplomatic relations with Qatar on 26 May 1984, announced its decision to sever ties with Qatar on Monday afternoon, saying it took the decision “because of its firm opposition to activities that encourage terrorism and extremism”.

Qatar had been part of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen since March 2015. The coalition also announced that it was not welcome in the alliance.

Qatar has denounced the decisions, saying “the measures are unjustified and are base in false and baseless claims”.

Noting that the aim of this boycott is to “impose guardianship in the state,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said that “this by itself is a violation of its (Qatar’s) sovereignty as a state.”

Qatar further said that this “will not affect the daily life of citizens and residents”.