Expert to TML: Allowing Qatar To ‘Monopolize’ Israeli-Palestinian Relationship Was a Mistake
Allegations of corruption and Qatar’s deep involvement in Israeli-Palestinian mediation raise concerns about the Gulf state’s growing influence in the region
A major political scandal, dubbed “Qatargate,” is sending shockwaves through Israel. It intertwines allegations of corruption with high-level security and diplomatic concerns. At the heart of the controversy is Qatar’s alleged involvement in Israeli politics and the abrupt dismissal of Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s internal security service, known as the Shin Bet. These developments not only raise questions about the integrity of Israeli governance but also spotlight the complex relationship between Israel and Qatar.
According to Yousef Munayyer, head of the Palestine-Israel Program at the Arab Center Washington DC, the decision to remove Bar was likely influenced by multiple factors, including an ongoing investigation into government officials. “There are ongoing investigations into people close to [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu, including employees within the Prime Minister’s office, with allegations of corruption. The internal security service, led by Ronen Bar, had been investigating these claims, and this was likely one of the reasons Netanyahu decided to dismiss him,” he told The Media Line.
He also pointed out that Bar had been part of the high-level Israeli delegation negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas, a process in which Netanyahu was accused of restricting his negotiators’ flexibility. “As the Israeli public grew frustrated with the government’s failure to close the deal, the Shin Bet and Mossad negotiators placed the blame on Netanyahu’s leadership,” he added.
Despite having no official diplomatic ties, Israel and Qatar have a history of cooperation, economic dealings, and political interactions that date back decades. Moran Zaga, researcher of the Gulf countries at the University of Haifa, emphasized that Israeli-Qatari engagement is nothing new. “Israel has been engaged with Qatar for a long time. The recent delegitimization of Qatar is new, but its support for Hamas has been well known. Officially, Israel has been involved with Qatar since 1996, when we had a foreign affairs office in Doha following the Oslo Accords,” she told The Media Line.
Qatar is a small country with a tiny population but immense resources. Its survival and prosperity depend on maintaining a degree of stability in an otherwise unstable region.
Qatar has positioned itself as a key regional mediator, leveraging its vast financial resources and political relationships to influence events in the Middle East. Munayyer described Qatar’s foreign policy as a carefully calculated strategy to maintain relevance. “Qatar is a small country with a tiny population but immense resources. Its survival and prosperity depend on maintaining a degree of stability in an otherwise unstable region,” he stated.
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Qatar has played a pivotal role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, particularly in hostage negotiations and ceasefire talks. As Zaga pointed out, Qatar’s financial support for Hamas, originally sanctioned by Israel, gave the Gulf nation an upper hand in regional diplomacy. “Qatar’s funding of Hamas, which was done at Israel’s request, has given it significant leverage. Qatar strategically aligns itself with both strong nations and weaker entities to maintain influence and relevance,” she explained.
Munayyer reinforced this perspective, arguing that Qatar’s role as a mediator stems from its established ties with Hamas. “Qatar has long been the go-to mediator for this conflict. This isn’t new; for over a decade and a half, they have been at the center of negotiations whenever conflicts in Gaza erupted,” he said.
Qatar’s leverage extends beyond Hamas. It serves as an intermediary between the United States and various actors, including Iran and Afghanistan. Zaga highlighted this broader role, noting that “Qatar follows the same approach with the United States. It brokers negotiations between the US and Iran, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and other countries.”
With Qatar’s growing influence in the region, concerns have arisen over whether Israel should perceive the Gulf state as a threat. Zaga believes there are valid reasons for concern. “Qatar is engaged in activities that can harm Israel, from shaping public opinion in the Arab world to financially supporting organizations, including BDS movements in the US,” she stated.
Israel can offer Qatar security assistance, but in return, it must demand significant changes—such as ending its support for terrorist organizations and moderating its stance toward Israel in platforms like Al Jazeera.
However, both experts agree that Israel still has an opportunity to shape its relationship with Qatar. Zaga suggested that Israel could leverage Qatar’s security vulnerabilities to push for policy shifts. “Israel can offer Qatar security assistance, but in return, it must demand significant changes—such as ending its support for terrorist organizations and moderating its stance toward Israel in platforms like Al Jazeera,” she argued.
Munayyer, meanwhile, emphasized that Qatar’s mediation role relies on its ability to maintain relationships with different parties. “To resolve disputes, you need to have relationships with all sides. That’s why the US has encouraged Qatar to maintain ties with Hamas—it allows for indirect communication and negotiation,” he explained.
Israel must recognize that allowing any one country to monopolize its relationship with the Palestinians was a mistake. We have become too reliant on Qatar, making it difficult to untangle ourselves from its grip.
With the “Qatargate” scandal unfolding and Israel’s political landscape in flux, the future of Israeli-Qatari relations remains uncertain. Zaga pointed out that “Israel must recognize that allowing any one country to monopolize its relationship with the Palestinians was a mistake. We have become too reliant on Qatar, making it difficult to untangle ourselves from its grip.”
For his part, Munayyer acknowledged that this period will shape future relations, though the exact outcome remains unclear. “There’s no doubt that these events will influence the future dynamics between Israel and Qatar, but it’s too early to predict the exact direction it will take,” he stated.
As investigations continue and diplomatic strategies evolve, Israel must navigate its relationship with Qatar carefully—balancing national security concerns with the necessity of engaging a regional powerhouse that has, for better or worse, become an indispensable player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
