Qatari PM says Israeli ‘Qatargate’ scandal is ‘journalistic propaganda for political purposes’

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says his country signed contracts with a United States media company to confront an Israeli public relations campaign he says is targeting Doha.

“There is a public relations campaign being waged against the State of Qatar in Israel,” says the prime minister in a press conference alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

“Qatar’s contracts with an American communications firm were intended to counter a public relations campaign against us in Israel. What is being called ‘Qatargate’ is journalistic propaganda for political purposes that has no basis in truth. Fringe politicians in Israel are leveling accusations against Doha while forgetting its role in the release of the hostages,” he continues.

In the so-called Qatargate affair, two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides are suspected of multiple offenses tied to their alleged work for a pro-Qatar lobbying firm, including contact with a foreign agent and a series of corruption charges involving lobbyists and businessmen.