The decision to severe relations with Qatar has been taken after much thought and careful consideration. Matters had come to such a stead that there was simply no room for sentiments and reasoning. After Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt, other countries have already joined in and have cut off relations with Qatar. The reason is simple. Doha has been making hostile decisions, going against the consensus, from way back as in 1995. Since then, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries have been seeking to prevail on Qatar to amend its ways in the interest of Gulf solidarity. These attempts proved futile, with Qatar continuing to stir sedition and unrest across its borders. The decisive step of severing relations came with continued Qatari attempts to break Saudi ranks, stir rebellion against the Saudi government, undermine the Kingdom's sovereignty, and harbor terrorists. However, Saudi Arabia is known for its patience and its strong determination to maintain Arab and Islamic unity. The summits held recently in Riyadh are clear examples in this respect. Qatar attended these summits and agreed on the decisions taken, only to violate them in no time. This by itself indicates the fickle-mindedness of Doha, adopting vacillating positions at different times. It was thus necessary to keep off Qatar before the situation aggravates even further to a point of no return.
