Israel pushes bill to brand Qatar a 'terror sponsor' in bid to sabotage Gaza mediation

Israel's ruling Likud Party has submitted a bill to the Knesset that would label Qatar a "state sponsor of terrorism", in a move widely seen as an attempt to cripple ongoing mediation efforts over Gaza, in which Doha plays a central role.

The proposed law was introduced by Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada, who last month openly called to "completely starve Gaza and expel its population to other countries".

The bill would prohibit states designated as "terror sponsors" from donating funds to Israel or engaging in trade with it.

It specifically targets Qatar's role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, accusing it of backing armed groups and seeking to delegitimise its involvement in sensitive negotiations.

The draft text describes Qatar as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" and the world's "biggest investor in global terrorism", citing alleged support for the Taliban, Islamic State group, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

The bill would empower the Israeli prime minister to unilaterally designate any country as a terror sponsor if it is deemed to provide material or logistical support for attacks against Israelis or Jews worldwide.

It also calls for the creation of a new department within Israel's National Security Council to coordinate intelligence and diplomatic efforts against such states.

The move follows Israel's rejection of a Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas in May 2024, after which it declined to attend follow-up talks in Cairo, causing negotiations to collapse.

It also comes amid renewed talks in Doha as Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza, signalling a lack of interest in a ceasefire.

The timing and language of the bill suggest a clear intent to sideline Qatar from ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchange talks, particularly as pressure mounts on Israel over its ongoing war on Gaza.

Qatar has been instrumental in brokering two previous truces and facilitating the release of Israeli captives, as well as delivering humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly lashed out at Qatar, accusing it of "playing both sides" and questioning its alignment in the war.

"It's time for Qatar to stop its double talk and choose between civilisation and Hamas' barbarism," he said in a post on X.

His comments drew a sharp rebuke from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which condemned Netanyahu's rhetoric as "incendiary" and politically irresponsible.

Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari pointed out that mediation, not military force, had secured the release of at least 138 captives.

"Were these hostages freed through so-called 'just' military operations or through the very mediation now being unjustly attacked?" he asked, warning that attempts to discredit Qatar risk derailing efforts to end the war and protect civilians.

Al-Ansari also highlighted the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, describing it as "one of the worst crises in modern history", marked by starvation, medical deprivation, and the political manipulation of aid.

"Is this the civilisation Israel claims to represent?" he asked.

If passed, the bill could formally bar Qatar from participating in future negotiations, further narrowing the already fragile diplomatic channels working toward a ceasefire.

It also threatens to alienate a Gulf state that has been key to indirect communication between Israel and Hamas, particularly through US- and Egyptian-backed efforts.