Occupied JerusalemThe estimates of Israeli analysts agreed that the criticism directed by the Prime Minister, Benjamin NetanyahuAnd insulting the minister Bezalel Smotrich to The State of Qataris unjustified, and may hinder the course of negotiations led by Qatar and Egypt in cooperation with the United States in order to reach an exchange deal between Israel and the Hamas movement.
Some Israeli writers criticized Netanyahu and Smotrich’s approach towards Doha, and their claims that Qatar is financing it Hamas And its military arsenal, based on estimates that over the past eight years, Qatar has transferred $10 million per month to… Gaza strip.
The Qatari grant was distributed to 100,000 supported families in the Gaza Strip, through a mechanism that Hamas had no relationship with or any influence on. This grant prevented – as many Israelis admit – the worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe in light of the siege.
Mediation is at risk
The political affairs correspondent for Haaretz newspaper, Jonathan Liss, strongly criticized Netanyahu, because of his criticism of Doha and the mediation role it plays, and the insult directed at Qatar by the Finance Minister, stressing that this approach by the Prime Minister endangers the lives of Israeli detainees.
The Israeli journalist believed that despite the problems caused by Netanyahu and Smotrich’s statements, the Qataris would not jeopardize the mediation efforts, pointing out that “the Qataris will continue the diplomatic approach, and will never take an opposing position because of a dispute with one person.”
According to the Israeli journalist’s point of view, since 2012, and over a period of nearly a decade, Netanyahu has enabled and encouraged the cumulative flow of more than a billion dollars from the State of Qatar for the welfare and relief of the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip.
He pointed out that after the surprise attack on October 7, 2023, no one at the Israeli political level was surprised by Netanyahu’s decision to choose Qatar to lead indirect communications between Hamas and Israel regarding hostage deals, humanitarian needs and aid, and a temporary ceasefire.
He believes that the Prime Minister’s attempt to disavow all this now and launch the attack by his ministers on Qatar, is “so clumsy and ridiculous that one in Israel cannot help but wonder whether this approach of Netanyahu is now putting the detainees in danger, just to remain in power and be acquitted.” “His name will be on any future investigation committee that will be formed.”
Presence of Qatar
Commenting on Netanyahu and Smotrich’s attack on Doha, the political analyst, Amir Bar Shalom, wrote an article on the “Zaman Yisrael” website in which he said, “The Qatari acid cloud has been hovering over Israel for years. Bags of money went to Hamas from Qatar. Senior Hamas officials have found a home.” warm in Qatar.
The political analyst added, “On the one hand, Qatar financed Hamas, and on the other hand, it tried to mediate efforts to free the kidnapped Israelis. Everything is known and familiar.”
As usual, when the political scene is chaotic during the war, Bar Shalom says, “We find Smotrich, agitated like an elephant from the settlements, rushing to direct sharp criticism at Qatar, without thinking about the repercussions of that, and the reflection of his statements on the Qatari mediation efforts to free the kidnapped Israelis, without even caring about their safety.” And their fate.”
It is not an exaggeration that estimates are unanimous that, contrary to Smotrich’s insult and his decisive announcement of rejecting any presence of Doha in Gaza after the war, the political analyst says that “Qatar will be greatly involved and a partner in what happens in Gaza the day after the war.”
Bar Shalom reinforced these estimates of Qatar’s role in Gaza the next day, saying, “Someone will have to finance the massive reconstruction process that will be required in Gaza, and it is difficult to imagine that the Netanyahu family or Smotrich and his men will be able to finance it themselves.”
questions
The same proposition was adopted by an article by the editorial board of the Ynet website affiliated with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, which asked about the timing of the Prime Minister and his Finance Minister attacking Qatar, at a time when there is talk of a breakthrough in the negotiations and flexibility in Hamas’ position towards a possible exchange deal, and a cessation of… Shooting for a month.
The editorial board’s article stated, “In the midst of negotiations with Hamas to reach an agreement to release the hostages held in Gaza, Netanyahu finds himself at odds with the mediators Qatar and Egypt, which have strong relations with Hamas.”
The article wondered how criticism and abuse of Qatar could be heard from Israeli government officials, at a time when mediation efforts by Doha and Cairo, along with the United States, are continuing to reach an agreement with Hamas, and at a time when Washington’s special envoy to the Middle East, Brett McGurk, conducted marathon discussions and tours. Between Egypt and Qatar?
The editorial board’s article pointed out that “Tel Aviv’s relationship with Cairo and Doha at this stage is essential, and is extremely important for the release of the hostages and reaching a deal that is not as bad as possible for Israel.”
However, despite everyone in Israel being convinced of the importance of Qatari and Egyptian mediation to liberate the detainees, the website explained that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi refused to receive a phone call from Netanyahu, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar accused the Prime Minister of harming mediation efforts for political reasons.
