Israel’s Qatar dilemma: Ally, mediator or enemy?

"It might be the daily frenzies in our life here that have made us forget that the term "Qatargate" has already made headlines in the past. The current scandal reflects Qatar’s global strategy to gain political influence, powered by the immense financial clout of the small emirate whose wealth stems primarily from natural gas deals. This method blends business interests with diplomatic engagement and a willingness to talk to all sides. But make no mistake—Qatar is not a neutral actor. At the heart of its policymaking is a clear sympathy for political Islam, as seen in its support for leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and the Taliban.

The strategy gained momentum around the 2022 World Cup, which was made possible in part through bribes to FIFA officials. The term "Qatargate" took hold after it was revealed that European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili of Greece was bribed by Qatar to soften criticism over the exploitation of migrant workers—thousands of whom died during the construction of the tournament's venues. She was not the only one; two other members of parliament were also bribed."

*The opinions expressed in MDC publications are the authors’ alone.