From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Qatari PM’s close ally helped US write Netanyahu’s apology, was present for the call – report
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The White House — with input from Qatar — wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology last week to his Qatari counterpart for the Israeli strike in Qatar on September 9, Politico reports, citing three people familiar with the call.
According to the US outlet, “a powerful Qatari interlocutor and close ally of the country’s prime minister” was in the Oval Office with Trump and Netanyahu to make sure the Israeli leader stayed on script.
The failed strike targeted the Hamas terror group’s political leadership.
The apology took place in a phone call made from the Oval Office that Trump organized and was present for during a meeting between him and Netanyahu. Shortly after the phone call, the White House released its plan for ending the war. Trump, at a press conference alongside Netanyahu, then said Israel and the Arab world had accepted the plan.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.
The Times of Israel Community.