Qatar Slams 'Ridiculous' Claims of Interfering in Israel Elections
Qatar rejects claims of interfering in Israel's elections, calling the allegations a "disinformation campaign" and a way to scapegoat the country.
Qatar has issued a blistering denial against allegations that it interfered in Israel's recent elections, accusing specific Israeli politicians of using the Gulf nation as a "scapegoat" to mask their own political failures. The response comes as Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, conducts a probe into claims of foreign influence during the polls.
'Qatar Would Own All of Israel'
In a strongly worded statement shared on X, Majed Al Ansari, the spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, categorically rejected claims that Doha funded activities to sway the election results. Al Ansari described the accusations as part of a "disinformation campaign" designed to drag Qatar into Israel's internal political turmoil.
The spokesman pointed out the contradictory nature of the allegations leveled against Qatar from different sides of the Israeli political spectrum. He noted that while some accuse Qatar of influencing the Arab vote, others have claimed the country "bought off" Benjamin Netanyahu or the political left.
“If these claims were to be believed, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel,” Al Ansari remarked, calling the accusations both "ridiculous and dangerous."
Accusations of Political Scapegoating
The Qatari government asserted that these claims stem from an "excessive obsession" with Qatar. Al Ansari urged Israeli leaders to stop shifting blame and instead focus on the needs of their own citizens and the damage caused within the region.
The statement emphasized that Qatar maintains a strict policy of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other nations. Al Ansari warned that Doha would not remain silent while its name is exploited to serve narrow electoral agendas or domestic political interests.
Demands for the New Israeli Government
While denying any role in the electoral process, Qatar outlined its expectations for whatever administration emerges from the polls. The Foreign Ministry stated that any new government must:
- Uphold international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
- Engage honestly and seriously regarding the Palestinian issue.
- Respect the rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination.
- Support an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Regional Role and the Shin Bet Probe
Despite the friction, Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to its role as a regional mediator and its ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The spokesman insisted that these allegations would not distract the country from its pursuit of regional stability and a comprehensive peace.
The tension follows a directive to Shin Bet to investigate allegations of Qatari influence in the elections, with the agency expected to submit its findings within a week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized the controversy as an "earthquake," alleging that foreign entities worked to favor Arab parties and urging Zionist parties to avoid cooperation with Ra’am.