Qatar Denies Interference in Israeli Elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Qatar on Thursday rejected allegations that it had interfered in Israel’s parliamentary elections or funded activities to influence the results, describing the accusations as “ridiculous and dangerous.”

“ We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said.

The accusations, made by politicians aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their media contacts, claim that Arab parties received funding from Qatar. However, no evidence was provided to support the allegations.

Partial election results showed two Arab lists securing a strong position in the new parliament, potentially giving them a decisive role in determining the governing majority.

Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab-Israeli Raam party, also rejected the accusations, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for an investigation and warned against stigmatising the Arab Israeli community, which recorded unprecedented voter turnout.

Netanyahu has also faced scrutiny over alleged Qatari payments to two of his aides, who were arrested last year. For years, his government tacitly supported Qatari funding for Gaza, which was then governed by Hamas, in an effort to maintain stability.

“Qatar should not be used as a scapegoat for the political failures of certain Israeli politicians,” Al Ansari said in a post on X, adding that the allegations would not distract Doha from its mediation efforts.

Qatar has played a central role in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, including efforts to halt the war in Gaza. Doha is also leading mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran to end the Middle East war, which began in late February with Israeli and US attacks on Iran.