Israel and Qatar Maintain Complex Relationship Amid Election Season
Tensions between Israel and Qatar are high, but the two countries are unlikely to become outright enemies due to their shared interests and reliance on each other.
The relationship between Israel and Qatar is a complex and contentious issue, particularly during the current election season. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has advocated for designating Qatar an enemy state, alleging that multiple Israeli "influencers" and "research organizations" are on Doha's payroll. However, this stance is not universally held, and many Israelis share a deep-seated suspicion of Qatar's ties to Hamas.
Despite the mutual public hostility, both countries still need each other. For over a decade, Israel has used Qatar as a channel to Hamas, and the Oct. 7, 2023, attack did not end this dynamic. The Qataris have positioned themselves as key players in the present and future of the Gaza Strip, and to maintain their agency on the ground, they need to maintain cordial ties with Israel at least at an elite level.
The history of Israel-Qatar relations is marked by periods of cooperation and tension. In the 1990s, Israel was arguably closer to Qatar than any other Gulf state. In 1995, Qatar allowed Israel to open a trade office, and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres visited Qatar and met the emir. However, subsequent events, including Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007, derailed the deepening of overt relations.
Qatar undertook a strategic shift away from public engagement with Israel and toward openly cultivating ties with Hamas. The country invested over $1 billion in Gaza, which was used for civilian needs, not directly funneled to Hamas. However, some commentators have argued that Qatari funds kept Hamas in power by stabilizing the status quo in the territory.
The Qataris would argue that they prevented a humanitarian crisis and were funding Gaza, not Hamas. What is indisputable is that all of this was agreed to by both Israel and the United States. Qatar consented to a request by the Obama administration in 2012 to host Hamas's exiled political leadership to open a back channel and explore whether the group could moderate.
The overlapping interests between Israel and Qatar drove this new paradigm. Ties to Hamas were less ideological and more part of Qatar's broader grand strategy of cultivating relations with actors that others deemed beyond the pale. This gave Qatar a unique selling point as a mediator or a moderating influence.
However, the Oct. 7 attack disabused Israel of the notion that Hamas could be contained, and it undermined the Qatari assertion that engagement would push Hamas toward moderation. The attack also exposed Qatar to unprecedented scrutiny and criticism of its ties to Hamas. But the ensuing war demonstrated why Doha had cultivated those ties in the first place.
Its credibility with Hamas, Israel, and the United States alike allowed Qatar to project an outsized diplomatic role, which eventually helped deliver two cease-fires. The "Qatargate" scandal, which involved allegations that Netanyahu's aides received money from Qatar to promote Doha's image and interests, further complicated the relationship.
Despite the tensions, Qatar did not follow through with its threats to end its mediation in the aftermath of the September 2025 attack. Instead, the two negotiating teams shook hands as the Gaza peace plan was announced. The complex and delicate balancing act between Qatar and Hamas is unlikely to change anytime soon.
### The History of Israel-Qatar Relations
| Year | Event | | --- | --- | | 1995 | Qatar allows Israel to open a trade office | | 2007 | Hamas takes over the Gaza Strip | | 2012 | Qatar hosts Hamas's exiled political leadership | | 2014 | Qatar becomes the primary principal external funder of reconstruction and humanitarian support in Gaza | | 2023 | Oct. 7 attack | | 2025 | "Qatargate" scandal |
### The Current State of Israel-Qatar Relations
The relationship between Israel and Qatar is complex and contentious, with both countries relying on each other despite their mutual public hostility. The Qataris have positioned themselves as key players in the present and future of the Gaza Strip, and to maintain their agency on the ground, they need to maintain cordial ties with Israel at least at an elite level.
The history of Israel-Qatar relations is marked by periods of cooperation and tension. Qatar undertook a strategic shift away from public engagement with Israel and toward openly cultivating ties with Hamas. The country invested over $1 billion in Gaza, which was used for civilian needs, not directly funneled to Hamas.
The Qataris would argue that they prevented a humanitarian crisis and were funding Gaza, not Hamas. What is indisputable is that all of this was agreed to by both Israel and the United States. Qatar consented to a request by the Obama administration in 2012 to host Hamas's exiled political leadership to open a back channel and explore whether the group could moderate.
The overlapping interests between Israel and Qatar drove this new paradigm. Ties to Hamas were less ideological and more part of Qatar's broader grand strategy of cultivating relations with actors that others deemed beyond the pale. This gave Qatar a unique selling point as a mediator or a moderating influence.
However, the Oct. 7 attack disabused Israel of the notion that Hamas could be contained, and it undermined the Qatari assertion that engagement would push Hamas toward moderation. The attack also exposed Qatar to unprecedented scrutiny and criticism of its ties to Hamas. But the ensuing war demonstrated why Doha had cultivated those ties in the first place.
Its credibility with Hamas, Israel, and the United States alike allowed Qatar to project an outsized diplomatic role, which eventually helped deliver two cease-fires. The "Qatargate" scandal, which involved allegations that Netanyahu's aides received money from Qatar to promote Doha's image and interests, further complicated the relationship.
Despite the tensions, Qatar did not follow through with its threats to end its mediation in the aftermath of the September 2025 attack. Instead, the two negotiating teams shook hands as the Gaza peace plan was announced. The complex and delicate balancing act between Qatar and Hamas is unlikely to change anytime soon.
### The Future of Israel-Qatar Relations
The future of Israel-Qatar relations is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Qatar will continue to navigate a delicate balancing act with Hamas. The country's refusal to condemn the Oct. 7 attack preserved its access to Hamas but further damaged its standing in Israel.
The Qataris will need to find a way to maintain their agency on the ground in Gaza while also addressing the concerns of Israel and the United States. The complex and contentious relationship between the two countries is unlikely to change anytime soon, and it will continue to be a major point of contention in the region.
