Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Monday that if he returns to office, he will formally declare Qatar an enemy state, accusing the Gulf nation of financing terrorist organizations and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Speaking at the Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth National Security Conference, Bennett said intelligence he received while serving as prime minister indicated that Qatar funded not only Hamas but also Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

“If I’m elected prime minister, I will immediately declare Qatar an enemy state, clearly and unequivocally,” Bennett said. He described Qatar as “a violent antisemitic cancer” that seeks to undermine Israel through an international influence campaign.

Rejecting arguments that Qatar is a complex diplomatic partner, Bennett said, “After October 7, nothing is complicated. Qatar is an enemy. It’s that simple.”

Bennett also alleged that Qatar has spent years building global influence by funding American universities and through the operations of the Al Jazeera media network. He further claimed Qatar transferred billions of dollars to Hamas and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware of intelligence indicating Doha also financed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Asked whether Netanyahu had seen the same intelligence, Bennett replied, “Absolutely.”

The former prime minister also reiterated his long-standing “Octopus Doctrine,” arguing that Israel should focus its efforts on confronting Tehran—the “head of the octopus”—rather than concentrating primarily on Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)