Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari rejected an accusation directed at Doha by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his address to the United Nations General Assembly and called on Israel to change its policies.
Netanyahu alleged that Qatar was conducting a campaign aimed at creating anti-Israel public opinion. Al-Ansari categorically rejected the accusation, arguing that the claim was an attempt to divert attention from the Israeli government’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and their severe humanitarian consequences.
Qatar issues public statement
Al-Ansari objected to explaining criticism of Israel around the world, particularly the shift in views among young people, through organized influence campaigns.
The Qatari spokesperson said young people were witnessing events on the ground in real time and forming their views accordingly. He said reducing the change in global public opinion to claims about “influence campaigns” was an insult to the awareness and ability of this generation to assess events.
Call for Israel to change its policies
Al-Ansari said Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians seeking to change Israel’s international image should focus on government policies rather than blaming Qatar or other external actors. He added that attempts to hold Qatar responsible for changes in global public opinion shaped by events people had witnessed with their own eyes were no longer convincing.
Al-Ansari also called on Israel to change its policies, respect international law and take responsibility for its actions.