‘Netanyahu’s suitcases of cash’ from Qatar funded Oct 7, says former Israeli PM; Qatar condemns ‘disinformation’

Naftali Bennett has outlined plans to remove Qatar from any role in Gaza and direct Israeli security agencies to act against what he called “Qatari infiltration” if elected prime minister.Qatar’s Media Attaché in the United States, Ali Al-Ansari condemned the statements made by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.In a statement shared on X by Qatar’s Embassy in the U.S. on Tuesday, Al-Ansari described it as an attempt to further his own political ambitions by deliberately spreading disinformation about Qatar.“This is not the first time Mr. Bennett has attacked Qatar to score political points at home. Israeli politicians who criticise Qatar should instead focus on addressing their own domestic challenges,” the statement read.Response by the State of Qatar’s Media Attaché in the United States Mr Ali Al-Ansari to statements by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett pic.twitter.com/xDXHB5Nkx8— Embassy of Qatar in USA (@QatarEmbassy_US) July 27, 2026 This came after Bennett said he would declare Qatar an “enemy state” if elected, as he positions himself as a challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the elections slated for October this year. “As prime minister, I will immediately declare Qatar an enemy state,” Bennett wrote on X, accusing Doha of financing Hamas, supporting armed groups and using Al Jazeera and foreign investments to undermine Israel.Bennett claimed Qatari funding contributed to the October 7 attacks, describing cash transfers to Gaza approved under Netanyahu’s government as “Netanyahu’s suitcases of cash”. “Whoever funds a massacre of Jews is not a complex country. It is a very simple country, an enemy state,” he wrote.Qatar has repeatedly denied financing Hamas. Its previous assistance to Gaza was delivered through mechanisms approved by Israel and the United Nations and directed towards fuel, public sector salaries and support for vulnerable families.Bennett also accused Qatar of funding groups across the region, including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, citing intelligence he said he received while serving as prime minister.He described Al Jazeera as “Qatar’s propaganda arm” and accused Doha of building a global network of influence through investments in Western universities and institutions.“As long as we do not declare Qatar an enemy state, its status in the world continues to grow stronger, and its metastases continue to spread,” Bennett wrote.He also expressed his discontent over Qatar’s role in Gaza negotiations, saying Doha had entered “as a bridesmaid in the deal imposed on us.”Qatar has mediated between Israel and Hamas alongside Egypt and the United States, helping secure ceasefires, humanitarian access and exchanges involving Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners.Bennett said the designation would allow Israel to remove Qatar from any role in Gaza, act against Al Jazeera and direct the Mossad, Shin Bet and Israeli military to counter Qatar. “We will direct the Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF to act forcefully against Qatari infiltration, just as they act against any enemy state,” he wrote.In it’s condemnation, Qatar’s Media Attaché in the United States, Ali Al-Ansari affirmed that Qatar’s efforts to support regional security and stability have been widely recognised by regional and international partners, including its work to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.He clarified that Doha’s efforts were carried out in coordination with relevant Israeli authorities and international partners, helping secure several ceasefires and the release of a number of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.He concluded that “Israeli disinformation campaigns will not deter Qatar from continuing its constructive role in pursuing peace and security, both in the region and internationally.”Bennett, who served as Israeli prime minister from 2021 to 2022, is positioning himself as a right-wing rival to Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s next election.