Is Qatar using anti-Israel sentiment to deflect from critique?

There have been increasing reports of anti-Israel sentiment among some people at the World Cup, as well as some incidents where people waved Palestinian flags. The recent trend of reports about anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian views suddenly appearing at the World Cup seems ideally linked to Qatar’s desire to distract attention from its own human rights abuses.

Let’s take a look back at the trajectory here. In the lead-up to the World Cup, there were a lot of statements indicating that Qatar would be welcoming to fans and that the usual farRight authoritarian qualities of the regime in Doha, which has backed religious extremism in the region and hosted the Taliban and Hamas in the past, would be more inclusive briefly for the sporting event.

When the competition began, there was a lot of buzz about various issues fans confronted. But after banning alcohol in stadiums, not allowing LGBTQ symbols, its record on migrant workers’ rights and its poor showing on the field, it was time for Doha to go on the offensive. Accusing the West of hypocrisy and racism was only one part of the Qatari agenda.

It appears that the growing anti-Israel sentiment in Qatar may be a manifestation of Doha’s need to distract attention from other issues. Why would Palestinian flags suddenly make an appearance even as police in the country appear to be cracking down on Iranian dissidents who dare show off flags or any kind of protest slogan? It appears that officials have given the go-ahead and that this is a phenomenon.

Initially, Israeli journalists appeared to be welcome, and then reports of “Arab fans confronting Israeli media” became a talking point. CNN says Israeli journalists had a “chilly reception.” Al Jazeera, which is backed by Qatar, even has a photo essay called “Palestinian flags fly high at World Cup.” How come the flags didn’t fly high in mid-November when the games were set to begin?

Does it seem well timed that suddenly stories emerge about the need to “confront” Israeli journalists? Qatar is an authoritarian regime that closely controls the media and every aspect of society. Clearly, nothing happens in Qatar without authorities knowing about it. That’s why pressure was put on Iranian dissidents.

While some of the pro-Palestinian voices are surely authentic, it seems that the timing of the supposedly anti-Israel antics of a few people is well placed to move the media spotlight from abuses of gay rights and migrant rights, to discussing Israel. This is a well-known pattern in the region. Attacks on Jews and “anti-Zionist” rhetoric have often been used by extremists and authoritarian regimes for the last 100 years.

The sudden “chilly” reception to Israeli journalists may not be something that just happened suddenly. There is no chilly reception for Russian state media, even though Russia is engaged in a brutal war against Ukrainians. No other issue in the world seems to motivate a chilly reception.

Even though Qatar has hosted extremists who are anti-India, there are no chilly receptions for Indian journalists. Indian media reported in November that a fugitive preacher wanted for hate speech was in Qatar giving lectures. Yet his presence hasn’t led to major reports of any anti-India incidents during the sporting events.

This is why the singling out of Israel seems to be, at least partially, choreographed. There is no doubt that many people in the region are pro-Palestinian. However, there is also a quiet attempt in Qatar to try to contrast itself with other Gulf states such as Bahrain and the UAE, both of which hosted Israel’s president this week. Doha wants to have this Janusface of appearing moderate and welcoming and inclusive, while also stoking and fanning anti-Israel views.

This Janus-face has existed for many years. During the Gulf crisis, when Saudi and other Gulf states cut ties with Qatar, Doha worked to burnish its image, hosting Jewish leaders and even hinting it might one day normalize ties with Israel.

Now that story has faded. Today Iranian media is celebrating the supposed “hatred of Zionists” that is on display in Qatar. Perhaps it’s not so much “hatred” as the need to move the story from Doha’s track record to make it seem like Qatar is doing something for the Palestinians.