Doha: PM’s son employed ‘extremist talking points’ that risk harming hostage talks

A Qatari diplomat accuses Yair Netanyahu of employing the talking points of extremists opposed to ending the Gaza war peacefully, after the prime minister’s son claimed Qatar is the world’s second-largest state sponsor of terrorism.

At a panel in Miami earlier today, the younger Netanyahu claimed that Qatar receives “red carpet” treatment in Washington and New York, despite following only Iran on the list of largest state sponsors of terrorism. He also said that Doha is the number one sponsor of US universities.

????????יאיר נתניהו השתלח בקטאר ברגע קריטי במו״מ על עסקת חטופים: "הם מממני הטרור הגדולים בעולם – אחרי איראן" (האזינו להקלטה המצורפת. קרדיט: @UnxeptableD????). הפרטים בכתבה שלי ב-@WallaNews https://t.co/Rj5qxOWXwC pic.twitter.com/yC9HBmQDfH

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A Qatari diplomat tells The Times of Israel that Yair Netanyahu’s comments “are copied from the talking points of extremist groups who are hostile to any peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict.”

“These false claims will not take the pressure off those who prefer to continue waging war,” the diplomat says.

“His accusations about Qatar as the ‘biggest donor’ to US universities are also false. In reality, these payments are not donations. They cover the costs of American branch campuses in Qatar. Qatar has nothing to do with the recent protests on US campuses,” the diplomat adds, referring to the anti-Israel encampments that sprung up across the country toward the end of the spring semester.

“His remarks are irresponsible, particularly at this sensitive time in the negotiations. They can only further complicate things,” the diplomat warns.