Al-Khames posted ‘Qatar provided financial support to both the Likud Party, led by Netanyahu, and Hamas, with the aim of undermining the two-state solution’.
Reports highlight the potential financial support extended to Hamas, implicating both Qatar and Israel’s Netanyahu government.
In a video released by Arab News, Former Saudi Intelligence chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal, publicly criticized Israel for allegedly “funneling” Qatari funds to Hamas.
These statements raised speculations over the roles played by Qatar and the Israeli government in bolstering an organization widely classified as a terrorist group.
Qatar’s Financial Aid to Hamas
Prince Turki’s condemnation of Israel aligns with a Reuters report that has surfaced, citing insider information.
The report reveals a specific process through which Qatar’s financial aid, intended for Palestinians in Gaza, is channeled through Israel.
According to the report, funds are electronically transferred from Qatar to Israel, following which Israeli and United Nations (UN) officials physically transport these funds across the border into the Gaza Strip.
This revelation raises questions about the transparency of the financial aid process. It highlights the involvement of multiple actors, including Qatar, Israel, and the UN, in facilitating the transfer of funds to Gaza.
This arrangement raises questions about the nature of the relationship between Qatar, Israel, and Hamas.
Funding Allegations: Netanyahu Government and Qatari Interference
Several sources have implicated Israel’s Netanyahu government in facilitating the funding to Hamas.
America’s National Security Analyst Irina Tsukerman said, “Netanyahu had business deals with Qatar to open a diamond exchange and separately had used it to fund Hamas. And it’s now all over the news because people have been complaining about it for years but the US approved it”.
She further said, US has been a strong backer of Qatar in various conflicts and mediations despite its horrible record.
She revealed that, Netanyahu may have believed that by allowing Qatar’s funds into Gaza, Hamas would be enticed away from its terrorist activities. However, this approach seems to have backfired, leading to a more formidable and militarily capable Hamas.
Abdulaziz Al-Khames, a Saudi researcher, referred to a French publication ‘Blast‘ that exposed Qatar’s interference in the Israeli electoral process by funding Netanyahu’s campaigns.
Al-Khames posted on X (ex-Twitter), that Qatar provided financial support to both the Likud Party, led by Netanyahu, and Hamas, with the aim of undermining the two-state solution.
These allegations have raised concerns about external influences on the Israeli political landscape and the potential impact on the peace process between Israel and Palestine.
According to the Blast, in October 2018, a new development emerged in the form of a salvo of allegations.
It was claimed that the Emir of Qatar had instructed the newly appointed Minister of Finance in Doha to provide “urgent financial aid” to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel and the President of the Likud Party. The mission letter specifically mentioned an amount of $50 million to support Netanyahu’s upcoming electoral campaign.
The generosity of this financial aid, as well as its substantial amount, was deemed disproportionate for an electoral campaign. The funds were said to have been funneled through a mysterious Qatari entity known as the “State Security Department.”
As the story unfolds, it is worth noting that Netanyahu’s electoral campaign did not result in a majority in the Knesset, leading to its dissolution. This defeat marked the beginning of a period of political instability in Israel.
Hamas’s Empowerment
Bernard Nicolas, one of the authors of the Blast’s report, highlighted the analysis provided by historian Dmitry Chomsky in the aftermath of the Hamas attack.
Chomsky’s viewpoint, emphasized that the transfer of millions of Qatari dollars to Gaza, with the repeated approval of Netanyahu, was indicative of a deliberate and malicious policy.
According to Chomsky’s analysis, this policy aimed to undermine the two-state solution while granting Hamas significant military capabilities.
If proven true, the implications would indeed be significant, carrying far-reaching consequences for regional dynamics and the prospects of peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In such a scenario, it becomes crucial for the international community to closely monitor these developments and take proactive measures.
The international community, through diplomatic channels and multilateral platforms, should advocate for transparency and promote efforts to address any potential imbalances or undue influences that could hinder the peace process. By ensuring a fair and equitable approach, progress can be made towards a just and sustainable resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
