Doha, Qatar: Qatar's International Media Office issued a statement on Monday in response to the false allegations published by The New Yorker.
The statement is as follows:
The allegations put forward by The New Yorker in its piece published on 19 September are based on falsified and fabricated information. The piece reads more like an amateur blog than a report from a reputable publication like The New Yorker. We reject these allegations in the strongest possible terms.
Prior to publication, The New Yorker was provided with clear evidence proving that the “Blast documents” and other documents supporting its claims were false. Its decision to proceed regardless is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about its editorial judgement and its willingness to intentionally amplify an ongoing campaign of disinformation targeting Qatar.
This is not the first time these documents have been circulated to the media. Previously, when outlets were provided with evidence showing that the documents were fabricated, they rightly chose not to proceed with publication.
In this instance, The New Yorker has chosen to give credibility to material that forms part of a wider disinformation campaign against Qatar. We have strong evidence that, for several years, various parties, including elements of Israel’s far right, have been involved in creating and circulating fabricated documents through the media in an effort to incriminate Qatar.
This includes false accusations that Qatar has sent money to Hamas. To be clear, Qatar’s assistance has been directed to Palestinian civilians in Gaza through mechanisms coordinated with the Israeli authorities and international partners. Under previous aid mechanisms, all financial assistance, as well as goods such as food, medicine and fuel, passed through Israel before entering Gaza. Nothing was delivered without Israeli involvement at every stage of the process.
Qatar’s aid has been provided over many years under successive Israeli governments, with the involvement of Israel’s security agencies. If any funding reached Hamas, it had nothing to do with Qatar. In fact, responsibility would fall on Israel who oversaw the delivery, including under Bennett, Lapid and Netanyahu, and through the various agencies including Mossad and Shin Bet.
Despite these facts, false allegations about Qatar continue to be circulated in an attempt to undermine our role as a mediator and disrupt efforts to achieve peace in the region. The actors behind this campaign do not want peace. Their political survival depends on chaos and division in the region, and Qatar’s role as a mediator threatens that.
We urge all media organisations to remain vigilant against disinformation being spread by those working to obstruct the pursuit of peace in our region. At a time when the media environment increasingly rewards sensationalism and clickbait, journalists have a responsibility to uphold rigorous standards of verification and analysis, particularly when reporting on complex geopolitical issues.
We are reviewing all appropriate legal options to prevent the further spread of this false information and ensure the public is not misled.
