Yes, the small emirate that suffered an attack on Hamas officials on its territory has the tools to harm Israel. The Qatari network's offices in the country have been closed, but Palestinians and Israeli Arabs have access to watch the increase in hatred. The basket of responses also includes pouring money into terrorist organizations, an attempt to convince Trump that Israel is the source of the problems in the Middle East, and pressure on the Gulf states to cool their relations with Israel.
Itamar Eichner
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Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani threatened a response
to
Israeli attack on Hamas officials in Doha
"Can the small statement even hurt Israel? The answer is yes. The more likely scenario for such a move is to increase criticism against Israel in the local incitement network."
Al-Jazeera
". After all, this is the most powerful tool Qatar has against Israel. The television network is already responsible for the bloodshed of Jews around the world after spreading anti-Semitism and explicitly inciting violence against Jews and Israelis.
2 Viewing the gallery
Qatari Prime Minister Al-Thani and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Ludovic MARIN / AFP, Oliver CONTRERAS AF)
It is quite likely that we will soon see an increase in anti-Israeli rhetoric on the Doha-based channel. This will have repercussions throughout the region, including among the Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, since they have considerable power over them. Israel has indeed closed Al-Jazeera's offices in Israel, but this does not prevent the Qatari network from continuing to broadcast to the region. Increasing incitement on the television stage would be a relatively easy response. The Qataris may use this card, because this way they can change direction quite easily - if they come to the conclusion that they have punished Israel enough.
It is likely that Qatar will not take irreversible steps - its leaders are too smart to do so. We will not see anything dramatic. This is a cunning country, and it can be estimated with a fairly high degree of certainty that we will not see military action against Israel. It is very possible that Qatar will increase its financial support for terrorist organizations, and will act behind the scenes to harm various Israeli interests.
In addition, we may see a proposal to condemn the UN Security Council - but the Americans will veto it anyway. Another possibility is that we will see a lot of Qatari activism at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, which will include an attempt to convince as many countries as possible to recognize a Palestinian state. Qatar itself has already expressed its support for the move, but it should be remembered that it has influence over quite a few countries.
Qatar can act against Israel and against any kind of normalization with the countries of the world - it has broad international influence due to the fact that it serves as a mediator, and also opens its wallet and buys assets without recognition. Qatar can serve as a key player in convincing countries not to normalize relations with Israel. It has influence in the Gulf Council, but let us recall that in the past it had a severe crisis with its neighbors.
Al-Jazeera studios in Qatar (Photo: AP)
Behind the scenes, it is quite hated in its region. One does not need to be impressed by the pictures of Gulf leaders making a pilgrimage to Doha to express solidarity. No leader in the Middle East shed a tear over what Israel did. Perhaps on the contrary - they liked to see how Israel humiliated the arrogant Qataris, who played it as the landlords in the Gulf.
What else can Qatar do? It can increase its pressure on US President Donald Trump and his people to change the line against Israel, and convince them that Jerusalem is the source of the problems in the Middle East. For its part, Israel should be careful that Qatar does not increase its activity in this area. Qatar is already planning an"emergency summit" of Arab and Muslim countries in the coming days to lead decisions against Israel.
Another scenario to consider: Qatar could reveal information about the affair.
Qatar-gate
"To settle scores with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his people. If Doha has information that would link Netanyahu to suspicions regarding the connection between Qatar and the Prime Minister's Office, they can expose it and exact cold revenge."
Another option: Qatar may decide to remove Hamas leaders from its territory and stop acting as a mediator in the deal. On the other hand, it can increase its mediation efforts to prove to everyone that it has no replacement. Qatar can also file a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and file a compensation claim against Israel for the violation of sovereignty and Hamas people.
In addition, Qatar may pressure the Gulf states to cool their relations with Israel. Today, an official statement from the United Arab Emirates stated that Abu Dhabi"strongly condemns Netanyahu's hostile remarks against Qatar, and confirms its full solidarity with Qatar."
