The public war of words between Together Party chairman Naftali Bennett and Qatar intensified Tuesday after the Gulf state sharply rebuked Bennett for accusing it of helping enable the October 7 massacre. Bennett fired back by renewing his pledge to declare Qatar an enemy state if he returns to office.

The latest exchange began after Bennett accused Doha of supporting terrorism and bearing responsibility for the Hamas-led October 7 attack. In response, the Qatari Embassy in Washington issued a strongly worded statement condemning his remarks.

The embassy dismissed Bennett’s accusations as false and politically motivated.

“We condemn Bennett’s statements, which deliberately spread false information about Qatar in an attempt to advance his political ambitions,” the embassy said.

Qatari officials also defended their country’s regional role, saying its efforts have been recognized by international and regional partners. The embassy stressed that Qatar’s activities in the Gaza Strip were carried out in coordination with Israeli authorities and international organizations. It added that Qatar had helped broker several ceasefires and played a key role in securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

The statement then turned its criticism directly toward Bennett personally.

“This is not the first time Bennett has attacked Qatar in order to score political points on the domestic stage. Israeli politicians who criticize Qatar would do better to focus on addressing their country’s internal challenges,” the embassy said. It further asserted that “Israel’s disinformation campaigns will not deter Qatar from continuing to fulfill its role in promoting peace and security.”

Bennett responded by releasing a video in which he intensified his accusations against the Gulf nation.

“Qatar bears responsibility for the October 7 massacre. It financed the attack and hosts the terrorist leaders in Doha. To this day, it has not condemned the massacre; it celebrated it. I cannot be bought with money. Qatar is an enemy, and if I am elected prime minister, we will declare it an enemy state,” Bennett said.

The latest confrontation follows Bennett’s recent claim that, while serving as prime minister, he was exposed to intelligence indicating that Qatar also transferred funding to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Bennett has said that if he returns to the premiership, he will move to officially designate Qatar as an enemy state.