Egypt Angered by Qatar's Influence Campaign, Approaches Israel
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Egypt expressed anger and approached Israel after realizing Qatar was conducting an influence campaign against it, including disparaging remarks. A senior Egyptian official met with an Israeli minister, stating Israel was not treating Egypt with respect. The situation also involved Israeli security officials and a Qatari influence campaign that included criticism of Egypt. Separately, an advisor to the Prime Minister admitted to working for Qatari entities post-October 7th and receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Egypt approached Israel after realizing Qatar was conducting a systematic influence campaign against Cairo.
- A senior Egyptian official told an Israeli minister that Israel was not treating Egypt with respect.
- The Egyptian concerns were raised during a sensitive period preceding Israel's operation in Rafah.
- Prime Minister's advisor Jonathan Uriach admitted to working for Qatari entities post-October 7th.
- Uriach stated he received hundreds of thousands of shekels for his work with Qatar.
Egypt became enraged upon realizing in real-time that Qatar was systematically briefing against it, prompting Cairo to approach Israel with its concerns. This realization occurred during a Qatari influence campaign that included disparaging remarks about Egypt. A senior Egyptian official met with an Israeli cabinet minister and spoke with a diplomatic contact, expressing frustration that "Israel is not treating us with respect, and this has implications." The Egyptian anger and understanding of the situation also engaged Israeli security officials at the time.
The Egyptian official conveyed to the minister that Israel was attempting to sideline Egypt, to which the minister responded by stating Israel desired greater cooperation regarding the IDF's operation in Rafah. The Egyptian official reiterated his dissatisfaction with Israel's conduct and its potential consequences. These messages were also relayed to Israeli security elements who maintain direct contact with their Egyptian counterparts. An internal document from that period addressed the tensions and the implications of Egypt's understanding.
The diplomatic contact also received a call from the senior Egyptian official questioning Israel's behavior. It is inferred that Egypt perceived a coordinated campaign against it. This occurred during a sensitive period when Israel needed Cairo's cooperation, and Egypt was highly anxious about the possibility of refugees fleeing into its territory from an IDF operation in Rafah in the spring of 2024.
Separately, it was revealed that Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisor, Jonathan Uriach, admitted during an investigation that he continued working with Qatari entities for months after the October 7th massacre, estimating his work concluded in mid-to-late 2024. Uriach stated he received "hundreds of thousands of shekels" for the Qatari project, though he could not provide an exact figure. The briefings against Egypt are reportedly linked to a severe clause in the ongoing 'Qatargate' affair concerning harm to Israel's foreign relations, a serious offense applicable to any individual.
