Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said Qatar is not defined as an enemy state, though it engages in harmful activity toward Israel similar to Turkey, while trade relations continue. His remarks add to the ongoing debate among Israeli officials over Qatar's classification.
Former IDF Chief of Staff and minister Gadi Eisenkot stated that Qatar is not formally classified as an enemy state, but described its activity toward Israel as negative, comparable to Turkey's. He noted that trade relations remain in place despite the hostility.
Eisenkot's comments come amid a broader Israeli debate over Qatar's status. As The Zioneer has reported, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare Qatar an enemy state, while MK Kroizer labeled Qatar a terror state. Netanyahu himself has avoided designating Qatar an enemy, though he has expressed concern over Turkish definitions of Israel as an enemy.
The statement reflects the complexity of Israeli policy toward Qatar, which hosts Hamas leadership and funds hostile activity while also maintaining economic ties with Israel. The remarks were reported by a single source and have not been independently corroborated.
- DevelopingBennett: Netanyahu should declare Qatar an enemy state, questions connection to his office
- StrongMinister Miki Zohar backs declaring Qatar an enemy state
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Turkey is not an enemy state, but their definition of us bothers me
- DevelopingLapid: Eisenkot is a partner, not an enemy; Yesh Atid still seeks unity
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Open-source intake