In response to National Security Council Head Tzachi Hanegbi’s praise for Qatari efforts to free the captives, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennet tweeted on X that “the Israeli government is making a serious moral and practical error.”
He further wrote that: “Qatar is not a ‘vital partner in humanitarian actions and diplomatic actions, Qatar is the enemy itself. Qatar funds, aids, and maintains the Hamas-ISIS terror organization. The declared goal of Israel is the destruction of Hamas. The goal of Qatar is precisely the opposite: saving Hamas. How can we destroy the enemy if we give out compliments to its chief sponsor. For God’s sake, how can we complain about Erdogan if we compliment the country providing cover and support for Hamas,” Bennet wondered.
Bennet ended by saying “Qatar engages in ostensibly humanitarian manipulations (“Qatar presses Hamas to free hostages”) and waves around limited captives deals every few days to confuse Israel and block its action to destroy Hamas. The Prime Minister of Israel declared that our goal is to entirely destroy Hamas. Those who don't distinguish between enemy and friend cannot destroy the enemy. Confusion does not lead to victory.”
Bennet was responding to an English statement by Tzachi Hanegbi, stating that “I’m pleased to say that Qatar is becoming an essential party and stakeholder in the facilitation of humanitarian solutions. Qatar’s diplomatic efforts are crucial at this time.”
