��������

On Tuesday afternoon, Israel launched airstrikes on a residential area of Doha, Qatar’s capital, apparently targeting the Hamas team that has been negotiating the terms of a ceasefire and prisoner/hostage exchange. The attack is seen as an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wreck the negotiations, which were nearing the final stage. Qatari and US mediators, with support from Egypt, have been working out the final details of the deal.

What this attack has made clear is that it is way past time for a fundamental reassessment of America’s blind support for Israel, which is affecting its standing in the region and beyond.

Israel is the largest recipient of US aid, to the tune of about $4 billion a year, and enjoys unparalleled access to US leaders and policymakers and free access to the American market. Tel Aviv receives the most sophisticated weapons systems and Washington steadfastly shields it from international scrutiny by wielding its veto power at the UN Security Council and sanctioning international bodies that dare to criticize Israeli actions.

The only thing the US has got from its relationship with Israel is a constant headache and serious reputational damage

Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

But the US gets very little in return. With the way Israel has conducted itself over the past two years, one could say that the only thing the US has got from this relationship is a constant headache and serious reputational damage. Israel’s prime minister has embarrassed the US with his lawless behavior — committing genocide and inducing starvation in Gaza, inciting pogroms against Palestinians in the West Bank and relentlessly bombing Syria without provocation. By providing material aid to Israel, the US is seen as complicit, and possibly legally liable, in the genocide of Gaza and the apartheid system in the West Bank.

Netanyahu’s latest antic threatens to erode what little is left of the US’ standing. The brazen attack has elicited condemnation from nearly every country, but the US reaction has been confused and contradictory. Initially, Washington said it had prior knowledge and had informed Qatar of the attack before it happened. When Qatari officials denied receiving the forewarning, the US changed its story and said it did not know about the attack beforehand or it knew about it “too late” to prevent it.

It strains credulity to claim that the US did not know about the airstrikes against targets located just a short distance away from one of the most important American military bases in the world. It would be an embarrassment if that were the case. Al-Udeid base houses thousands of troops from the US Air Force, UK Royal Air Force and other foreign forces. It also hosts a forward headquarters of US Central Command, the headquarters of the USAF Central Command and air expeditionary forces, among others.

Some Trump advisers are reportedly angry about Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders inside Doha, with many frustrated that they could not weigh in or warn the Qataris. According to one version of events, Trump was informed of the strike only shortly before it began — and not by Israel itself but by US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, according to US media reports. However, by the time US officials reached out to Qatar, it was too late. US officials also claim that Israeli military officials did not mention the attack, which had apparently been in the works for months, when they were in Washington earlier this week.

Israel’s attack is likely to mortally wound, or at least temporarily halt, Trump’s push for a deal in Gaza

Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday evening: “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation. But I will say this, we want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down.” He refrained from criticizing Israel’s action.

Trump later posted an updated statement saying that the decision to launch the strike was made by Netanyahu and was “not a decision made by me.” The statement betrayed some frustration that Israel was acting against Trump’s own goals for the region, but he again avoided direct criticism of Israel.

This is not the first time Trump has been miffed by Israel’s actions. He was also reportedly upset when Tel Aviv launched intensive strikes on Damascus in July and when it struck a Catholic church inside Gaza.

The fact the strikes occurred in Qatar may have contributed to the sense of betrayal inside the White House. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the country earlier this year and has been cultivating a special relationship with its leaders.

The sense of betrayal is far greater in Qatar and in other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which think of the US as a strategic partner and Trump in particular as a reliable friend. Qatar has worked closely with the US to end the war in Gaza, as well as in other crises, such as the evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan.

Israel’s attack is likely to mortally wound, or at least temporarily halt, Trump’s push for a deal in Gaza. Perhaps it was Netanyahu’s intention to stop the negotiations as they neared a conclusion, so that he could finish off Gaza and achieve his dream of banishing its population. The onslaught against the Strip may now continue unabated, unless the US uses its enormous influence to stop it.

The attack certainly undermines US credibility in the region and makes it difficult for Washington to pursue its other goals. Many are asking until when will the US allow Israel to break every rule in international law and violate the universal rules of human decency and proper state conduct?

Outside Washington, world leaders have reacted strongly to Israel’s attack on Qatar, because they see it as an attack on a neutral country and an attack on peace in Gaza, likely scuttling the ongoing negotiations.

Israel has been widely cast as a rogue state, engaging in genocide and apartheid. The attack on Doha only solidifies its rogue status. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani accurately said following the attack that Israel was engaging in “state terrorism.”

Unless the US distances itself, not in just words but in action, it risks having its reputation similarly tarnished. While American media outlets have described comments from the White House as a “rare censure of Israel,” those comments do not go far enough to distance Washington from Israel’s latest outrage. What is needed is action, such as leaning on Israel to accept a ceasefire deal and allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza without hindrance.

Israel should be disabused of the perception that it faces no sanction from the US for its actions, even when they run contrary to US interests and break international norms.

• Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the GCC. X: @abuhamad1