Israel's dramatic move: ban on all defense exports to Qatar

Israel has decided to impose a total and sweeping ban on all defense exports to Qatar. This move represents a complete halt to the export of defense industry products. The decision concerns not only future deals but also contracts that were signed 4 to 5 years ago and whose implementation is ongoing.

Within the defense establishment, Qatar is described as a hostile state acting against Israel. According to foreign reports, Israeli defense industries have sold weapons, defense systems, cyber systems, and air defense equipment to Qatar for hundreds of millions of dollars. These exports had previously been approved by the Ministry of Defense and the Prime Minister.

The Israeli move signals a significant shift in policy toward Qatar. Naftali Bennett responded to the report:

"The defense establishment is warning the Israeli government about the terrible danger of Qatar and is stopping defense deals with it, but the political leadership in Israel continues to close its eyes to the antisemitic cancer that is harming us."

The intention to declare Qatar a hostile state has been raised as part of the election campaigns of various parties. While Naftali Bennett has advocated for this designation, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Right party, has urged caution:

"I do not suggest doing this as a political gimmick. It must be taken as a serious decision, and not as an election statement."

Previously, Bennett wrote on social media that Qatar bears responsibility for the October 7 massacre, citing its financing of the events and its role in hosting Hamas leaders in Doha.