Israel’s ruling Likud Party has introduced a bill in the Knesset aiming to designate Qatar as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” a move seen as an attempt to obstruct ongoing mediation efforts over Gaza, where Qatar plays a central role.
The bill, proposed by Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada, who controversially called for “completely starving Gaza and expelling its population,” targets Qatar’s role in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It accuses Qatar of supporting armed groups and undermining its involvement in critical talks.
The bill would prohibit countries labeled as “terror sponsors” from providing funds or engaging in trade with Israel. It singles out Qatar, labeling it a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and the “biggest investor in global terrorism,” with references to its alleged support for groups such as the Taliban, ISIS, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
If enacted, the bill would grant Israel’s prime minister the power to designate any country as a terror sponsor based on their material support for attacks against Israelis or Jews globally. It also proposes the creation of a new department within Israel’s National Security Council to coordinate efforts against such states.
This legislative push follows Israel’s rejection of a Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal in May 2024, after which talks in Cairo collapsed. It comes as Qatar remains central to ongoing negotiations amidst Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza, raising questions about Israel’s willingness to pursue peace.
Qatar has previously brokered truces and facilitated the release of Israeli captives, as well as providing vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently criticized Qatar for “playing both sides” in the conflict, demanding the country choose between “civilization and Hamas’ barbarism.”
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Netanyahu’s remarks, defending its role in securing the release of hostages through mediation rather than military action. The ministry warned that discrediting Qatar’s efforts could undermine peace efforts and deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which it described as one of the worst in modern history.
Should the bill pass, Qatar could be excluded from future ceasefire talks, further isolating diplomatic channels crucial to ending the conflict.
