Liberman Accuses Netanyahu of Lying About Qatari Funds

Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, on Monday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of lying about Liberman's past involvement with Qatari funds intended for the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu had shared old articles on social media platform X, with the caption "A reminder for those who forgot," referencing reports from August 2018 about Liberman, then Defense Minister, meeting secretly with Qatar's Foreign Minister in Cyprus. These meetings occurred amid international efforts to stabilize Gaza and Qatar's role in its reconstruction.

Liberman responded sharply, stating, "Yom Kippur just ended and Netanyahu is already lying." He claimed the accusations against him were based on statements made by Naftali Bennett, who later recanted and apologized to Liberman, admitting he had relied on incorrect information and that Liberman had actually opposed Qatari money reaching Hamas. Liberman also cited an interview from July 2024 with Zohar Paltiel, who served as head of the political-security division at the Defense Ministry and attended the meeting with the Qatari Foreign Minister. Paltiel described the meeting as "completely bizarre," recalling Liberman angrily confronting the Qatari minister and accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism.

Liberman further asserted that when Netanyahu decided to allow Qatari money into Gaza, he resigned as Defense Minister, warning it would lead to disaster. He vowed that Netanyahu would end up in the opposition and that his party would establish a state commission of inquiry where Netanyahu would have to explain "many facts that are true."