Qatar has positioned itself as a key player in mediations in the Middle East, particularly in several conflicts. This unique position, combining pragmatism and networks of influence, has allowed it to play a central role in sensitive issues, from hostage releases to negotiating humanitarian ceasefires.
Qatar’s Successes: A Model of Proactive Diplomacy
Qatar has developed diplomacy based on two pillars: dialogue with conflicting parties and funding humanitarian projects. For example, during the 2017 hostage crisis in Iraq and Syria, Doha negotiated the release of 26 Qatari hunters.
In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Qatar maintained a delicate balance: while supporting the right to a Palestinian State, it facilitated the release of 105 Israeli hostages in November 2023.
The “Qatargate”: A Political Scandal in Israel at the Heart of Tensions
In Israel, a sensational case has shaken Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government since March 2025: “Qatargate.” Two of the Prime Minister’s close advisors, Yonatan Urich (media advisor) and Eli Feldstein (military spokesperson), were arrested for “contact with a foreign agent,” “money laundering,” and “corruption.” They are accused of promoting alleged Qatari interests in Israeli media, particularly by downplaying Egypt’s role in Gaza ceasefire negotiations while glorifying Qatar’s role.
According to the investigations (which cannot be impartial as they were carried out by Israeli authorities), an American lobbying firm, ThirdCircle, allegedly funded these operations through Israeli intermediaries. The messages sent to journalists were presented as coming from Netanyahu’s office, creating a major conflict of interest. The scandal also involved Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, who was questioned for visiting Qatar and meeting with Qatari officials.
Netanyahu, questioned by the police but not indicted, called the investigation a “witch hunt” aimed at overthrowing him. He compared the detention of his advisors to “hostage-taking,” provoking outrage from the families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. In a viral video, he defended Qatar, stating, “It is not an enemy country; many praise it,” even citing praise from his opponent Yair Lapid and the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, for its role in the negotiations. Thus, Qatar’s role as a mediator is recognized by all.
The Geopolitical Behind-the-Scenes of “Qatargate”
This case reveals Israeli contradictions:
Double diplomatic game: While Netanyahu publicly criticizes Qatar for its solidarity with Gaza, he simultaneously authorizes Qatari financial aid to support a population in a catastrophic social and economic situation.
Internal conflict: Netanyahu attempts to discredit the Shin Bet, whose head, Ronen Bar, oversaw the investigation. He tried to replace him with a loyalist, a decision suspended by the Supreme Court.
Electoral calculation: The Prime Minister, weakened by his corruption trial and criticism of his management of the Gaza war, uses “Qatargate” to rally his base, accusing the “deep state” and the media of sabotaging him.
The Hypocrisy of Major State Actors
Western criticisms of Qatar contrast with the interest it generates. The Al-Udeid military base, housing 10,000 U.S. soldiers, is a cornerstone of the United States’ military strategy in the region. Similarly, France and the United Kingdom rely on Qatari investments to finance their industries. This contradiction reveals a reality: Qatar has clearly become a power in the 21st century.
Qatar pays the price for its audacity and diplomatic successes. In a fractured Middle East, Doha embodies a middle path: one of dialogue, the promotion of peace, and international legality.
The Israeli “Qatargate,” far more than a local scandal, illustrates this battle for influence: by targeting Qatar, some seek to restore an order where only the powerful dictate the rules. But in a world in crisis, mediators capable of speaking to all remain a rare commodity. “Qatargate” is a narrative crafted by unidentified forces with an interest in hindering Qatar’s diplomatic influence, whose values of peace, openness, and tolerance are well established.
