For years, the emirate has presented itself as an indispensable mediator in the Middle East. But behind the shiny façade lies a long history of supporting Islamist groups: from Hamas to the Taliban, from the Muslim Brotherhood to networks in Europe. The Israeli attack on Hamas cadres in Doha exposes the illusion: Qatar is not a neutral mediator, but a key promoter of forces that undermine peace.
Following Israel's targeted strike against high-ranking Hamas representatives in Doha, Qatar's leadership is portraying itself as the victim. Prime Minister Abdulrahman al-Thani spoke of “barbarism” and “betrayal.” The message: Israel has violated the rules of diplomacy. But in reality, it is the rulers in Doha who have been speaking with a forked tongue for years. While they present themselves as supposed partners in Washington, Berlin, and Brussels, they court Islamists and offer them protection, money, and a political stage.
For over a decade, billions of dollars have been flowing from Qatar into the Gaza Strip. Officially, the funds were said to be used to pay salaries, run schools, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. In reality, however, Qatar has been strengthening the rule of Hamas, which controls all administrative structures in Gaza. Anyone who pays salaries there is indirectly financing the terrorist organization that declared war on Israel and planned and carried out the massacre of Oct 7, 2023.
Even more seriously, Hamas has maintained an official office in Doha since 2012. For years, the political and military leadership was able to operate there undisturbed, protected by a regime that touts itself as a “mediator.” The fact that Western countries tolerated this is an expression of geopolitical convenience: they wanted to keep a channel of communication open with Hamas. But in effect, they made Qatar a safe haven for terrorist planners.
Qatar not only supports Hamas, but has also been supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, the ideological breeding ground for Islamist movements worldwide, for decades. The Taliban also found a home in Doha: in 2013, they opened their political office there, from where negotiations with the US were conducted. The fact that the Americans chose Qatar of all places as their stage was a mistake of historic proportions – because it ennobled an emirate that does not fight terrorist groups, but embraces them.
In Syria, Libya, and even Africa, Qatar has repeatedly protected Islamist militias. The method is always the same: extremist actors are given legitimacy and influence in order to portray themselves as indispensable mediators.
The consequences of this policy are felt not only by Israel and its neighbors. Qatar's support for the Muslim Brotherhood has strengthened networks that have long been deeply entrenched in Europe and North America. Mosque associations in Germany, clubs in France, lobby structures in Brussels, money often flows from Doha. Officially, this is support for culture, education, or religious freedom. In reality, however, narratives are being spread that undermine Western democracies and reinforce anti-Semitism.
In the US, Qatar buys influence through think tanks, sports sponsorship, and university funding. The methods are subtle, but the result is clear: Qatar is creating a sounding board for Islamist ideas – not on the fringes, but at the heart of Western societies.
The Israeli air strike in Doha was therefore not just an attempt to eliminate Hamas leaders. It was a blow against the double standards of Qatar, which presents itself as a “peace broker” while offering terrorist strategists a comfortable exile. The fact that the government in Doha now fears for its security shows the weakness of its model: soft power, major sporting events, and gas exports are no substitute for genuine responsibility.
Those who brand Israel as an aggressor must ask themselves: What about a country that courts Hamas and the Taliban?
What about an emirate that finances Islamist networks that threaten synagogues in Europe and radicalize universities in the US?
Qatar wants prestige and influence, wants to appear indispensable as a “mediator.” But this status comes at a high price, on the backs of those who suffer from terrorism. While Hamas fires rockets at Israel from Gaza, Doha presents itself as a force for peace. In reality, it is complicit in every further escalation because it protects terrorists rather than weakening them.
The hypocrisy must finally be called out: Qatar is not a bridge builder, but an accelerant (of islamism). Those in Europe or the US who turn a blind eye to this today are accepting that Islamist networks will continue to grow – and that terrorism from Gaza to Berlin has its supporters.
