Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his aides amidst allegations of Qatari financing, stating that Qatar is ‘not an enemy state.’ He highlighted that various political figures in Israel, including opponents, have praised Qatar, challenging the legitimacy of the accusations against his aides.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has spoken in defense of his aides who are facing allegations of receiving financial support from Qatar, asserting that the nation is “not an enemy state.” In a video statement, he described Qatar as a complex country, noting that it is often viewed positively by various sectors within Israel, including political adversaries and intelligence officials.
Netanyahu’s comments followed a video release in which he accused the police of unjustly detaining two of his aides in relation to the Qatargate investigation. He notably defended Jonatan Urich, one of his esteemed advisers, stating that Urich, although he has no access to classified intelligence, has received criticism for allegedly praising Qatar.
In his statement, Netanyahu challenged the narrative by highlighting that figures from the opposition, such as Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, have also expressed positive sentiments regarding Qatar. He mentioned that Lapid commended Qatar for facilitating hostage negotiations, while Gantz previously sought to promote his company’s spyware in Qatar before his political career. Furthermore, he referenced Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar’s frequent visits to Qatar during hostage dialogues, indicating that Bar had also attended the World Cup there in 2022.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his stance that Qatar is not an adversarial entity. By defending his aides and drawing attention to the positive remarks made by opposition leaders, he aims to illustrate a more nuanced relationship between Israel and Qatar. Netanyahu’s comments reflect ongoing tensions and political dynamics within Israeli governance as it pertains to foreign relationships.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
