Qatar rejects Israeli election interference allegations as ‘ridiculous and dangerous’

Qatar has categorically denied allegations that it interfered in Israel’s election or funded activities intended to influence the outcome, calling the accusations “ridiculous and dangerous.”

Majed Al Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman and adviser to the prime minister, said Thursday that claims made by some Israeli politicians and their media contacts were false.

“We categorically reject allegations that Qatar interfered in the Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome,” Al Ansari said.

He also mocked the widening range of accusations directed at Doha.

“They accuse Qatar of buying Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli political left and now, in this latest campaign, the Arab vote,” he said. “These accusations are equally ridiculous and dangerous.”

Al Ansari said Qatar should not be used as a scapegoat for what he described as the political failures of Israeli politicians.

The denial came after Likud figures accused Qatar of financing efforts to boost Arab turnout in Israel’s election, where Arab-led parties made major gains and were projected to win 19 seats.

Israel’s Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg has asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and improper influence, but the allegations involving Qatar have not been established.

Qatar said the dispute would not distract it from its regional mediation role.