Qatari PM Calls Benjamin Netanyahu a 'War Criminal'
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” on Tuesday, while saying Doha would continue its mediation efforts despite rising regional tensions.
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, as quoted by Anadolu, Sheikh Mohammed was asked whether he considered Netanyahu a war criminal.
“Of course. What’s been committed in Gaza is war crimes, and whoever is responsible for this is a war criminal.”
“Hospitals have been targeted, schools have been targeted. Whatever the justifications and the arguments, nothing is justifying this,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed also accused Netanyahu of targeting Qatar politically to divert attention from his own actions and those of his government.
He reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of Israel’s Sept. 9, 2025, strike on Doha, which targeted Hamas officials as Qatar was conducting mediation efforts. The attack killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer.
“We were attacked by Israel while we were mediating,” he said, calling the strike an unprecedented attack on a mediator.
“Netanyahu has crossed the line like he has crossed other lines before that.”
Despite the tensions, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar would continue to prioritize diplomacy, saying behind-the-scenes engagement remained the most effective way to make progress.
“We are trying to do our best to give the best advice to the US government on how to reach a solution, as well as to the Iranians,” he said.
Regarding the broader regional conflict, Sheikh Mohammed said three issues needed to be addressed to ease tensions: Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security arrangements involving Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council states.
He said any regional security framework should be based on dialogue, non-interference and non-aggression, along with greater economic cooperation.
Earlier Tuesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Doha was continuing its mediation efforts and relaying messages between the US and Iran.
He said Qatar remained concerned about further military escalation and was working toward a peaceful solution.
Read: Why and How Is Israel Banning Arab Parties from Election?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News