Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of rewarding Hamas by recognising a Palestinian state. He framed this diplomatic move as an act that incentivises the group responsible for the October 7 massacre.
This accusation creates a significant contradiction given years of statements from Israeli leaders and security officials within his own country. These insiders have long argued that Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza helped Hamas survive, grow stronger and remain in control rather than dismantling it.
A Pipeline of Funds
For many years, money from Qatar flowed into Gaza with either Israeli approval or active monitoring. Reports indicate that since 2014, more than $1 billion was pumped into projects in the territory, with an additional $500 million pledged in 2021. Other accounts detail cash transfers entering Gaza through crossings controlled by Israel.
At the time, Netanyahu defended this policy. He stated the intent was to prevent a humanitarian collapse and buy stability for the region.
Political Goals Behind Payments
Critics argue the true political objective behind these payments was far darker. They claim the goal was to keep Gaza and the West Bank divided, weaken Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, and stop Palestinians from forming a united leadership capable of seriously pushing for statehood.
Warnings From Inside Israel
Those critics are not limited to Palestinians or foreign opponents. They include former Israeli prime ministers and senior security officials. Ehud Barak accused Netanyahu of keeping Hamas alive and kicking. Ehud Olmert stated that Netanyahu saved Hamas through the Qatar money pipeline.
Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon said the policy of building up Hamas to weaken the Palestinian Authority eventually blew up in Israel’s face. Yuval Diskin also accused Israeli policy of strengthening Hamas while simultaneously weakening Abbas. Avigdor Liberman noted that Netanyahu even sent senior Israeli officials to Qatar specifically to ensure payments continued.
The October 7 Reality
Hamas carried out the attacks on October 7. Responsibility for those actions belongs solely to Hamas.
However, Netanyahu cannot erase years of policy that helped keep the group in power. He used Hamas as a counterweight to Palestinian unity before using the group as an excuse to reject Palestinian statehood.
The Contradiction
Now he wants to accuse Albanese of rewarding Hamas. The real question remains why so many Israeli officials warned that Netanyahu’s own strategy helped build the very force he now claims only he can destroy.