Bennett Is Right: Israel Must Stop Pretending Qatar Is a Neutral Mediator

For years, Israel has treated Qatar as an unavoidable partner. Successive governments accepted its role as a mediator with Hamas. Western leaders praised its diplomatic efforts. International media portrayed it as a bridge between civilizations. But after October 7, that illusion should have ended.

This week, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that if elected, he will designate Qatar as an enemy state. The response from Doha was immediate. Qatari officials described themselves as a peaceful nation committed to regional stability and accused Bennett of spreading misinformation.

Ironically, their response illustrates Bennett’s point. Qatar has mastered the art of strategic ambiguity. It hosts American military forces while simultaneously giving sanctuary to Hamas leaders. It presents itself as a peace broker while maintaining relationships with organizations committed to Israel’s destruction. It invests billions in universities, sports, media, and diplomacy, building an image of moderation that often overshadows its support for Islamist movements.

Its greatest weapon is not military power. It is influence. Modern wars are fought not only with missiles but with narratives, legitimacy, lobbying, and access. Qatar understood this years before most democracies did. The recent allegations surrounding Qatari influence efforts in Israel have only reinforced a broader concern: foreign influence is no longer limited to espionage or cyberattacks. It increasingly operates through relationships, public opinion, and elite institutions. The facts surrounding individual cases should be determined through proper investigations, but the strategic challenge is undeniable.

Whether one agrees with every aspect of Bennett’s proposal is almost beside the point. He has forced Israel to ask a question it has avoided for far too long: Can a state that provides political shelter to Hamas leaders while presenting itself as a neutral mediator truly be considered a partner? That debate is long overdue.