‘A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’: Israeli Committee Backs Bill to Label Qatar a ‘Terror-Supporting State’

Latest Developments

• Committee Advances Legislation to Label Qatar a ‘Terror-Supporting State’: Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill on May 18 to designate Qatar a “terror-supporting state.” The bill states that Qatar is “acting as a wolf in sheep’s clothing” as evidenced by “its direct support for terror organizations.” If passed, the legislation will add Qatar to a newly created list of “terror-supporting states,” subjecting the emirate to certain trade and diplomatic restrictions.
• Legislation May Not Impact Gaza Talks: The proposed legislation bars terror-supporting states from providing Israel with mediation services. However, the bill specifies that “the Ministerial Committee for National Security Affairs may determine that a specific terror-supporting state shall be exempt from this restriction,” meaning that Qatar will not necessarily be sidelined from the ongoing Gaza ceasefire and hostage talks if the bill passes.
• Bill Proceeds as ‘Qatargate’ Scandal Shakes Israeli Government: Multiple aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are suspected of accepting Qatari funds to improve Doha’s image in Israel. An Israeli police investigator told the court in April that one of the suspects “relayed messages to the media” that he received from “an entity that maintains ties to and is funded by the state of Qatar” but “presented” the messages as if they came “from a political or security source.”

FDD Expert Response

“Qatar may soon be simultaneously designated as a ‘terror-supporting state’ by Israel and a as a ‘Major Non-NATO Ally’ by the United States. That will be a stunning feat for Qatar’s PR machine.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst

“For many years, Iran has been the dominant state sponsor of Hamas, providing military, financial, and ideological support. However, the October 7 massacre marked a turning point, elevating Qatar’s role as a key state sponsor of Hamas. If Hamas emerges from the war and continues to govern Gaza, its partnership with Qatar will intensify. While Israel’s decision to approve a bill that designates Qatar as a terror-supporting state is a necessary policy shift, it must be part of a broader campaign aimed at isolating Hamas’s external support network and exposing Qatar’s malign foreign policy in the region.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

Related Analysis

“Catering to Qatar,” by Jonathan Schanzer

“What the U.S. Can Learn from Israel’s ‘Qatargate’ Affair,” by Natalie Ecanow

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Qatar,” FDD Insight