One of the significant challenges facing Israel is its policy vis-à-vis Qatar, which is the main financier of Hamas’s "civilian" activity in Gaza and hosts “Hamas Outisde” in its territory. Qatar provides the organization with a political diplomatic security net and propaganda assistance through the al-Jazeera channel, which it owns.
Qatar harms fundamental Israeli interests, yet at the same time serves other interests. For example, the Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip has received Israel’s blessing over the years, which was addicted to the false peace bought with Qatari money. Qatar was also used as a conduit for conveying messages to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and even Lebanon.
Israel has difficulty acting against Qatar, if only because Qatar has close relations with the US, which has bases in Qatar. Doha is especially close with the current administration, which it assisted in exiting Afghanistan and mediating with Iran. Qatar has an interest in maintaining Hamas as sovereign in the Gaza Strip and through it maintaining its influence there. This influence allows it to strengthen its international image and standing, and earn points as an actor that works for the Palestinians.
Even now, Qatar's connections and leverage over Hamas can help pressure the organization on the issue of Israeli hostages, its ability to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and economic aid to Egypt. At the end of the war, it can also play a role in the reconstruction of the Strip.
There is therefore tension between the Israeli interest in harming Qatar's commitment to Hamas in order to weaken the organization, and the need to use this relationship to advance essential goals during and after the fighting. In addition, any change in Israeli policy and measures taken against Qatar may be met with US opposition.
Other Arab countries have no desire for deep involvement in Gaza, and therefore the Qatari dilemma will accompany Israel even after the end of the war. Israel must examine what actions it can take to weaken the relationship between Hamas and Qatar and damage Qatar's motivation to finance the organization.
Qatar is sensitive to its position and international image, and it can be harmed by its association with Hamas and its crimes. Israel should also act – with the US – so that the presence of Hamas figures in Qatar becomes a burden on it, and convey through a widespread campaign that Doha is not free from criticism. However, these and other methods of action depend, first of all, on Israel's ability to put an end to Hamas rule in the Strip.
One of the significant challenges facing Israel is its policy vis-à-vis Qatar, which is the main financier of Hamas’s "civilian" activity in Gaza and hosts “Hamas Outisde” in its territory. Qatar provides the organization with a political diplomatic security net and propaganda assistance through the al-Jazeera channel, which it owns.
Qatar harms fundamental Israeli interests, yet at the same time serves other interests. For example, the Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip has received Israel’s blessing over the years, which was addicted to the false peace bought with Qatari money. Qatar was also used as a conduit for conveying messages to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and even Lebanon.
Israel has difficulty acting against Qatar, if only because Qatar has close relations with the US, which has bases in Qatar. Doha is especially close with the current administration, which it assisted in exiting Afghanistan and mediating with Iran. Qatar has an interest in maintaining Hamas as sovereign in the Gaza Strip and through it maintaining its influence there. This influence allows it to strengthen its international image and standing, and earn points as an actor that works for the Palestinians.
Even now, Qatar's connections and leverage over Hamas can help pressure the organization on the issue of Israeli hostages, its ability to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and economic aid to Egypt. At the end of the war, it can also play a role in the reconstruction of the Strip.
There is therefore tension between the Israeli interest in harming Qatar's commitment to Hamas in order to weaken the organization, and the need to use this relationship to advance essential goals during and after the fighting. In addition, any change in Israeli policy and measures taken against Qatar may be met with US opposition.
Other Arab countries have no desire for deep involvement in Gaza, and therefore the Qatari dilemma will accompany Israel even after the end of the war. Israel must examine what actions it can take to weaken the relationship between Hamas and Qatar and damage Qatar's motivation to finance the organization.
Qatar is sensitive to its position and international image, and it can be harmed by its association with Hamas and its crimes. Israel should also act – with the US – so that the presence of Hamas figures in Qatar becomes a burden on it, and convey through a widespread campaign that Doha is not free from criticism. However, these and other methods of action depend, first of all, on Israel's ability to put an end to Hamas rule in the Strip.