Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delivered a fiery defense of a recent military strike that targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, framing the controversial action through the lens of the September 11th attacks and issuing a stark ultimatum to nations that harbor terrorists. In a powerful video address, Netanyahu declared that the October 7 attacks were "Israel’s 9/11 moment" and argued that his country's response was directly modeled on the United States' subsequent global hunt for those responsible, a justification aimed at countering widespread international condemnation and shoring up support for Israel's increasingly aggressive military strategy.
The core of Netanyahu's argument rested on a direct and potent parallel. He recalled the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, noting that the US had rightly promised to pursue the terrorists "wherever they may be." He pointed to the subsequent UN Security Council resolution that declared governments could not provide safe harbor to terrorist groups. "Well, yesterday, we acted along those lines," Netanyahu stated, explicitly linking the Doha strike to this international precedent. He went further, directly comparing the strike on Hamas officials in a foreign capital to US operations against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. "We did exactly what America did," he asserted, positioning Israel's actions not as an isolated act of aggression but as a legitimate and necessary step in the global war on terror.
Beyond justifying the past action, Netanyahu's address was a direct and unambiguous warning for the future, aimed squarely at Qatar. He accused the Gulf state of being a primary enabler of Hamas, claiming it "finances Hamas" and provides its "terrorist chieftains sumptuous villas." He then laid down a clear and ominous choice for Qatar and any other nation providing a safe haven to groups Israel considers terrorists. "I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will," he declared. This ultimatum dramatically raises the stakes, transforming the conflict into one with potential global repercussions and placing US allies like Qatar in an incredibly difficult diplomatic position.
The strike itself, which targeted a gathering of Hamas' political leadership as they were reportedly considering a US-led ceasefire proposal, was a stunning escalation. It drew immediate and fierce condemnation from Qatar, which labeled it a "cowardly" attack and a "blatant violation of all international laws." Netanyahu, however, met this and other international criticism with complete defiance. He criticised the global community for what he described as a hypocritical double standard, arguing that the world applauded the US for its counter-terrorism efforts post-9/11 but is now condemning Israel for adopting the same principles. "The various countries of the world condemn Israel. They should be ashamed of themselves," he asserted, demanding that they instead applaud Israel for its resolve. The speech was a masterclass in political messaging, designed to reframe a controversial military action as a righteous and necessary act of self-defense on the world stage.
