Bennett Dares Netanyahu: Declare Qatar an Enemy State Now!
Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of using foreign interference probes to sow chaos and demands Qatar be declared an enemy.
In a scathing attack on the current administration, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the political theater and officially declare Qatar an enemy state. The confrontation comes amidst a swirling investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israel’s election process, with Bennett accusing Netanyahu of manipulating the crisis for personal political gain.
Accusations of 'Whitewashing' and Secret Ties
Taking to the social media platform X, Bennett claimed that he has repeatedly urged Netanyahu to take a hard line against Qatar in the past, only to be ignored. He alleged that the Prime Minister has consistently chosen to "whitewash" the relationship with the Gulf nation rather than confronting it.
More explosively, Bennett alleged that Netanyahu continues to employ advisors within his own office who have ties to Qatar. According to the former PM, these individuals allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatar during the massacre and the ensuing war, working from within the Prime Minister's office to advance Qatari interests.
"If the security of the state is truly before his eyes—if the country's security is truly at the forefront for him—then instead of spreading panic among the public, let him declare Qatar an enemy today and expel it from his office and from the State of Israel," Bennett declared.
The Election Interference Storm
The tension erupts against the backdrop of a probe ordered by Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee. Justice Sohlberg has directed Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions that foreign entities provided funding to improperly influence the elections in favor of certain parties.
Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized these allegations as an "earthquake," claiming that foreign interference helped Arab parties. He has subsequently called on Zionist parties to refuse any cooperation with the Joint List and Ra’am.
Bennett, however, is not convinced. He dismissed Netanyahu's "panic cries," arguing that the Prime Minister is only bringing up Qatar now because it serves his immediate political interests and helps him sow chaos to undermine public trust in the democratic process.
Reactions from Arab Parties and Opposition
The allegations have sparked a fierce backlash from Arab political leaders who have denied any wrongdoing:
- Mansour Abbas, chairman of the United Arab List (Ra’am), stated his party has no connection to the affair and has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement.
- Sami Abou Shahadeh, chairman of Balad, accused Netanyahu and his allies of weaponizing these unverified allegations to fuel hostility toward Arab parties and challenge the legitimacy of the election results.
Adding to the pressure, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has also demanded an impartial investigation, warning that unverified suspicions should not be used to destabilize the country or undermine the will of the voters.
A Call for Patience
Despite the turmoil, Bennett urged Israeli citizens to remain calm and proud of their democratic participation. He noted that the high voter turnout reflects a deep love for the land and a commitment to the country's future.
Bennett expressed his trust in the leadership of David Zini and Judge Solberg to complete the investigation thoroughly and quickly. He maintained that once the vote counting is finalized, the focus must shift toward rescuing Israel from "the era of chaos" and implementing a revolution of public servants to repair the nation.