Qatar has “conquered the West” without firing a shot and is laying the foundations for a restored Islamic empire, a former senior Mossad officer has claimed.
Dr. Udi Levy, who once led the Israeli intelligence agency’s Economic Warfare Division, delivered the warning at the International Institute for Counterterrorism’s annual conference at Reichman University on Wednesday. In a fiery address, Levy said Qatar has spent decades embedding itself in Western systems of power, paralyzing decision-making and spreading Islamist influence under the guise of diplomacy and investment.
“Conquest does not necessarily mean taking over territory; conquest is also the ability to paralyze your enemy’s decision-making processes,” Levy said. “This is exactly what Qatar is succeeding in doing.”
According to Levy, Qatar has systematically built infrastructure aimed at reshaping the West culturally, socially, and economically in line with the Muslim Brotherhood’s vision of restoring an Islamic empire. With “great ingenuity,” he alleged, Doha has leveraged universities, sports clubs, global corporations, banks, fashion houses, and media outlets to gain influence over future leaders and public opinion.
“They bribed every leader and every actor who could help advance their interests, and above all neutralized any possible action against them, effectively making themselves untouchable,” Levy warned.
Levy also accused Qatar of financing terrorism while simultaneously positioning itself as an indispensable mediator in conflicts, including Gaza. He argued that Israel made a strategic error by allowing Qatari money into Gaza to bolster Hamas and by elevating Doha’s role as a broker.
“Qatar, along with the Iranians, was responsible for the October 7 massacre,” he said, referring to the Hamas attacks that triggered Israel’s war in Gaza. “Had Israel given Qatar 48 hours to return the hostages under threat to the stability of its kingdom, the world’s response would have been very different.”
Levy charged that Doha deceived not only Israel but also Washington. He claimed Qatar actively undermined U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand the Abraham Accords while simultaneously cultivating influence within Israeli and American security circles.
“Qatar penetrated the holy of holies of the State of Israel, including security officials and the highest levels of leadership,” he said. “And they did the same in the West and in the United States.”
Levy’s conclusion was blunt: Israel and its allies must redefine their entire approach to Doha. “It is time to choose,” he said. “Between an open door to the West, or continued involvement in efforts to undermine the West’s values.”
