Analysts shed light on years of warm relations between Doha and Tel Aviv
Qatar continues to conceal its strong ties with Israel and insists on holding meetings that bring the leaders of the two countries together informally, as revealed by the huge increase in the number of Israelis on Qatari soil as the World Cup approaches. Qatari officials held secret meetings with representatives of the government of Israel to discuss securing Israeli citizens in Qatari territory. The meetings also touched on supporting relations between the two countries in various economic and security fields.
Israeli Foreign Minister: Wait for warm relations with Doha
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid revealed that Israeli citizens are allowed to travel to Qatar directly to watch the World Cup, stressing that this is a political achievement that fills the hearts of the public.
Lapid added in a tweet on his official Twitter account that the decision came after serious work with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Sports Minister Hili Tropper with Qatari officials.
Jair Lapid added: “The love of football and sports, which connects people and countries with the World Cup in November, opens the door for new, warm relations”.
Israeli media had reported contacts between Israel and Qatar to fly a direct line of planes between Tel Aviv and Doha on the occasion of the World Cup matches.
Israeli media reported that under a mechanism agreed between the two countries, after the Israeli purchases a match ticket, he will go online to get a fan card, which will enable him to enter Qatar and be booked in hotels.
Relations have existed for a long time
Major General Mahmoud Mansour, founder of Qatari Intelligence, says: Relations between Doha and Israel have existed since the time of the father of Tamim bin Hamid, the Emir of Qatar. All relations are based on the interest of the two parties, and they have not been officially announced.
The founder of Qatari Intelligence added that Qatar continues to support Israel and strengthen its relations with it from time to time, and yet it hides its relations with Tel Aviv. It also always promotes cooperation with Zionist organizations and will not announce this officially.
He added that Doha has been hosting Israelis in its territory for years, yet at the same time it finds the Qatari media and the Qatari regime itself trading the Palestinian cause in order to show that it does not have relations with Israel.
Mansour said that there are special hospitality for senior Israeli officials during the World Cup this year, in addition to hosting the event.
Dubious Relationships and the Politics of Invisibility
Mohammed al-Zulfa, a former Saudi analyst and parliamentarian, said: Doha has been working for its own interests only, for years and everyone knows its hidden relations with Israel. It did not have the audacity to declare this officially. In all of its dubious relations, Doha takes a policy of concealment, as it supports terrorist groups in hiding and supports the destruction of the region in secret.
The Saudi MP added, “If we talk about examples, you will find the difference between the realistic diplomacy pursued by the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries that have official relations with Israel and deal transparently with its peoples, in return for opportunism and trade in the Palestinian issue, which Doha has been used to in order to hide its citizens’ awareness”.
The Saudi analyst pointed out that the hosting of Israelis by Doha is a real prelude to the declaration of the Qatari-Israeli normalization after years of hidden relations.
