Naftali Bennett Warns of Qatari Influence and Israel's Weak Global Position

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yachdav party, spoke at the Herzliya Conference organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategy, expressing serious concerns about Qatar's activities against Israel. On 103FM, Bennett claimed that Qatar is engaged in efforts to undermine Israel across multiple domains. He suggested that hundreds of individuals in Israel might be receiving funds from Qatar and acting against Israeli interests, noting the lack of mechanisms to verify or prevent this.

Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Bennett wished Netanyahu success, emphasizing that the overall Israeli interest is paramount. However, he criticized Israel's current international standing, stating that Israel is increasingly ignored in regional decision-making, citing examples involving Gaza, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey. Bennett described this as a significant weakness that must be addressed by the next government.

Bennett also criticized the government's failure to achieve its stated goals concerning Iran, including nuclear disarmament, ballistic missile elimination, and proxy dismantlement. He expressed concern over the U.S.-Qatar defense agreement, calling it problematic for Israel and highlighting that it was arranged without Israeli consultation. He concluded by warning that Hamas is strengthening daily and Iran is regaining power, which he views as a negative development for Israel.