Former PM Bennett Vows to Declare Qatar an Enemy State if Re-Elected

Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the Yamina party, Naftali Bennett, sharply criticized Qatar during a speech at the INSS National Security Conference. Bennett declared that if he leads the next government, he will officially designate Qatar as an enemy state. He accused Qatar of funding terrorism, specifically Hamas, and orchestrating a global influence campaign against Israel.

Bennett described Qatar as a "violent antisemitic cancer" spreading its influence to the West and even into the Israeli Prime Minister's office. He blamed Qatar for supporting Islamist terrorism and holding responsibility for the deaths, kidnappings, and assaults on Israelis during the October 7 attacks. Bennett also pointed to Qatar's funding and operation of the Al Jazeera network, which he called an antisemitic platform amplifying Hamas propaganda.

He further argued that any investigation into the October 7 events should prioritize examining Qatar's role, stating that a basic inquiry would conclude that Qatar is an enemy state whose leaders seek Israel's destruction. Bennett's remarks reflect his hardline stance on Qatar amid ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.