Netanyahu’s Gaza envoy met Qatari official before UN speech criticizing Doha - report
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the two discussed a US plan for Gaza and humanitarian measures Israel had pledged to carry out
Michael Eisenberg, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s representative for Gaza affairs, met Ali Al-Thawadi, a representative of Qatar’s emir, in New York on Wednesday, Israel’s Channel 12 reported Saturday evening.
The meeting took place roughly 24 hours before Netanyahu criticized Qatar in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the report, Eisenberg and Al-Thawadi spoke for about half an hour. Their discussion focused on US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, developments there and ways to carry out the plan’s provisions. They also discussed humanitarian measures Israel had committed to implementing in Gaza.
The meeting followed a “Peace Council” session devoted to a plan for the initial reconstruction of Gaza. Channel 12 also reported that Al-Thawadi had previously participated in a White House call during which Netanyahu apologized to Qatar’s prime minister.
The reported talks stand in contrast to Netanyahu’s public remarks the next day. In his UN speech, he accused Qatar of spending billions of dollars to spread what he called lies about Israel. He also accused Doha of hosting Hamas members involved in the October 7 attack.
Netanyahu described the contest over coverage of Israel in the international media and on social networks as an “eighth front,” alongside the military fronts Israel faces. He singled out Qatar, pointing to its past investments in US universities and media outlets, including Al Jazeera.