Israeli voices are now critically addressing Qatar’s support for Hamas, primarily targeting Prime Minister Netanyahu for facilitating Qatari interventions in Gaza, enabling Hamas’s military growth. Former officials and researchers have increasingly pointed to Qatar’s financial contributions as detrimental, culminating in recent Hamas violence. Qatar’s defensive stance relies on previously sanctioned relations with Western powers, but these are undermined by current events highlighting its complicity in terrorism.
Recent revelations suggest that Israeli voices are increasingly criticizing Qatar for its role in supporting Hamas, especially as tensions escalate following the recent conflict. These critiques primarily target Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who facilitated Qatar’s financial interventions in Gaza, inadvertently fostering Hamas’s military capabilities, including extensive tunnel networks and arms stockpiles. Historically, there has been little dissent among Israeli politicians regarding this policy, although Avigdor Liberman stepped down in 2018 in opposition to it.
The criticism of Qatar has emerged not only from political circles but also from various individual researchers and intelligence outlets. Dr. Yossi Shain from Tel Aviv University has described Qatar’s contradictory stance, while Ambassador Ron Prosor has been notably vocal about Qatar’s financial support for Hamas. In a New York Times op-ed, Prosor stated, “In recent years, the sheikhs in Doha, the capital of Qatar, have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Gaza. Each of Hamas’s tunnels and rockets might as well have had a sign reading ‘Made possible by a generous donation from the Emir of Qatar.'”
Despite growing criticism, the Israeli government, under Netanyahu’s leadership, has shown reluctance to address Qatar’s actions directly, with various ministers recently speaking out instead. The ongoing dialogue in Israel appears more focused on Netanyahu’s administration and the erroneous perception that Hamas’s ideology could be placated with financial incentives.
In response, the Qatari ruling family released a document asserting that their support of Hamas was sanctioned by Israel and Western nations, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. This defense is undermined by recent violent outbursts from Hamas, demonstrating a blatant rejection of any political moderation. Qatar’s fears regarding the implications of its support for terrorism have increased following the October 7 attacks, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives.
Additionally, Qatar’s involvement in historical terror activities has been highlighted, notably by research organizations like MEMRI, which points to Qatar’s ties to various terrorist incidents. Current defense agreements with the U.S. have not exonerated Qatar, and there remain significant doubts about their compliance with counter-terrorism standards. Furthermore, Qatar’s struggles with legal compliance, specifically regarding Al-Jazeera’s registration status and allegations of espionage aimed at U.S. lawmakers, cast further shadows on its geopolitical actions, complicating its international standing.
In summary, the increasing scrutiny of Qatar’s support for Hamas by Israeli scholars and politicians underscores a significant shift in discourse surrounding Israeli foreign policy. The criticism primarily targets Prime Minister Netanyahu’s past decisions while highlighting the potential ramifications of Qatar’s actions. The recent violence and Qatar’s failure to adequately address its sponsorship of terrorism place the Qatari regime under intense scrutiny, suggesting that its previous assurances lack credibility. As tensions escalate, it remains crucial for both Israel and the international community to reassess their stances on Qatar’s role in regional instability.
Original Source: aurora-israel.co.il
