There is one major item I want to focus on today before taking questions: Qatar protected Hamas for years, and now it’s Turkey’s turn.
Hamas leaders are reportedly now in Turkey after spending over a decade in Qatar. The United States, under pressure, convinced Qatar, a major non-NATO ally, to expel Hamas. But now Turkey, a NATO member, is welcoming them.
This comes while Israeli hostages remain in Hamas’s underground terror tunnels.
Qatar provided Hamas with:
- Luxury villas,
- Nearly $2 billion in funding, and
- Political cover.
The question is: Should we expect anything different from Turkey?
Comparing Qatar and Turkey’s Responses
Let’s compare Qatar and Turkey’s actions:
- On October 7th, during Hamas’s massacre, Qatar condemned Israel.
- Two weeks later, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, praised Hamas. He claimed Hamas is not a terror organization but a group of “mujahideen freedom fighters” protecting their land and people.
Turkey and Qatar sound the same. Both share support and ideology with Hamas terrorists.
NATO members must reject Turkey’s actions—welcoming, funding, or supporting Hamas. Instead, NATO must demand the immediate extradition of Hamas leaders so they can face justice.
Q&A Session
Question 1: Assassination Plot Against Irwin Cotler
Q: There’s breaking news that Canadian authorities foiled an Iranian attempt to assassinate Irwin Cotler. What are your thoughts on this and Iran’s global targeting of Israelis and Jews?
A: Irwin Cotler is a prominent human rights advocate, not just for Jews and Israelis, but globally. Iran targeting him is not surprising.
Iran:
- Suppresses its people, using terror to maintain control,
- Denies basic human rights, and
- Operates under a theocratic regime that mocks the concept of democracy.
This assassination attempt should alarm the world. If Iran targets a defender of global human rights, who else will it target? This underscores the need for a global effort to shut down Iran’s terror activities, nuclear ambitions, and oppressive regime.
Question 2: Diplomatic Pressure on Turkey
Q: What diplomatic pressure should be placed on Turkey, especially as it advertises itself as a tourist destination?
A: Turkey under Erdoğan has shifted from being a tourism-friendly state to a quasi-sponsor of terror. As a NATO member, Turkey has obligations to uphold Western values and reject terrorism.
All NATO countries must:
- Hold Turkey accountable for housing and supporting Hamas terrorists, and
- Make it clear that continued support for Hamas will jeopardize its standing in NATO and relationships with the West.
If Turkey chooses to host Hamas leaders who could release Israeli hostages but refuse, it aligns itself with terrorism, not democracy.
Question 3: The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Q: Incoming Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune threatened U.S. sanctions on the ICC if it issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. What are your thoughts?
A: The ICC’s consideration of targeting Israeli leaders is absurd. While the world faces terror regimes, genocides, and oppressive governments, the ICC is singling out the leaders of Israel—a democratic nation fighting terrorism.
This highlights the ICC’s failure to deliver justice. Any country that respects itself and democracy should reconsider funding the ICC.
As for U.S.-Israel relations, this is a partnership of shared values, where both nations stand united against terror and for freedom.
Question 4: IDF Operations in Lebanon
Q: The IDF reported finding dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers in Lebanon. How difficult is it to locate these launchers, and how many more might there be?
A: Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone. Here’s what the IDF faces:
- Rocket launchers hidden under olive orchards,
- Kalashnikovs, RPGs, and grenades stored in nearly every home, and
- An underground terror infrastructure beneath civilian areas.
Eliminating this threat requires painstaking operations, risking the lives of Israeli soldiers. Israel’s goal is to ensure safety for the 60,000 Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s rockets and millions more under threat.
Question 5: Qatar’s Decision to Expel Hamas
Q: Why did Qatar expel Hamas terrorists now, after hosting them for over a decade?
A: While the specifics of the decision remain unclear, timing suggests it followed the U.S. election. Pressure from either the current Biden administration or the incoming Trump administration likely forced Qatar’s hand.
Qatar has long played both sides—housing U.S. military bases while funding terrorist organizations. This decision is a positive step but insufficient. Qatar must cease all terror support and align itself with democratic, human rights-respecting nations.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for joining us at the Israeli Citizen Spokesperson’s Office.
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