Qatar Denounces Bennett’s Claims of Funding Iranian Revolutionary Guards as Political Misinformation

A day after Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina party and former Israeli prime minister, revealed at the Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth National Security Conference that Qatar funded Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Qatar responded sharply. The Qatari embassy in Washington issued an official statement condemning Bennett’s remarks as deliberately false information aimed at advancing his political ambitions.

At the conference, Bennett accused Qatar of financing not only the Revolutionary Guards but also Hamas and Jabhat al-Nusra. He described Qatar as a "violent anti-Semitic cancer" spreading its influence across the West, including within the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, with the goal of destroying Israel. Bennett declared that if elected prime minister again, he would immediately designate Qatar as an enemy state.

Qatar’s response emphasized its recognized role in supporting regional security and stability, including humanitarian efforts in Gaza coordinated with Israeli authorities and international partners. The statement highlighted Qatar’s involvement in ceasefire agreements and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Qatar accused Bennett of exploiting false claims for domestic political gain and urged Israeli politicians critical of Qatar to focus on Israel’s internal challenges. The embassy reaffirmed that Israeli disinformation campaigns would not deter Qatar from its constructive role in promoting peace and security regionally and internationally.

Following the Qatari statement, Bennett reiterated in a video that Qatar bears responsibility for the October 7 attacks, accusing it of funding and hosting terrorist leaders in Doha. He condemned Qatar for never condemning the attacks and celebrating the violence against Israeli civilians. Bennett concluded by reaffirming that Qatar is an enemy and Israel will officially declare it as such if he becomes prime minister.