Qatargate
Explosive Admission: Mossad Labels Qatar a Source of Wartime Incitement
The rare public acknowledgment came in response to accusations by MK Avigdor Liberman, who claimed that Israel’s security establishment continued contacts with Qatar despite its alleged role in fueling incitement against Israel. Liberman pointed in particular to a meeting held in New York two weeks ago, suggesting it demonstrated ongoing cooperation.
Israel’s Mossad has publicly confirmed for the first time that Qatar has been formally identified by Israeli intelligence as responsible for hostile influence and incitement campaigns linked to the Gaza war.
The rare public acknowledgment came in response to accusations by MK Avigdor Liberman, who claimed that Israel’s security establishment continued contacts with Qatar despite its alleged role in fueling incitement against Israel. Liberman pointed in particular to a meeting held in New York two weeks ago, suggesting it demonstrated ongoing cooperation.
In an unusually direct statement, the Mossad rejected that characterization and made clear that Israel’s position toward Doha has hardened significantly.
According to the Mossad, the New York meeting did not involve coordination or reconciliation, but rather a blunt demand issued jointly by Israel and the United States. The statement emphasized that the only media-related issue raised was Qatar’s role in promoting incitement through its state-backed platforms.
“The only media-related issue raised in the meeting was a clear and unequivocal demand by the United States and Israel that Qatar act regarding the negative coverage by Al Jazeera,” the Mossad said. The statement accused the network of encouraging hatred, antisemitism, and terrorism, and of serving as a vehicle for false narratives during the war.
The Mossad added that Israel demanded Qatar immediately halt the global dissemination of incitement and disinformation, describing these activities as being “operated by Qatar across platforms” and directed against the State of Israel worldwide.
The statement marks a significant shift from Israel’s traditionally cautious public posture toward Qatar, which in recent years played a role as a mediator in Gaza-related negotiations. By explicitly naming Qatar as a hostile influence actor, Israel is signaling that patience with Doha’s dual role has run out.
The confirmation also intensifies the political fallout surrounding the growing “Qatargate” controversy, as scrutiny mounts over foreign influence, media warfare, and the boundaries of engagement with states accused of supporting incitement during wartime.