Several Israeli defense contractors have entered into formal agreements with Qatar—deals that received full authorization from the highest levels of the Israeli government—to supply advanced military equipment, ammunition, cyber systems, and other defense technologies, Maariv reported on Tuesday.
These deals were greenlit by key entities including the Defense Ministry, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and received special sign-off from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu himself.
The defense companies were only permitted to proceed with the contracts after obtaining the necessary clearance from the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu played a central role in facilitating these transactions, granting final approval for firms such as Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries to move forward with their negotiations and eventual deals with Qatar—a nation widely known for its close ties with Hamas.
According to Maariv, Elbit secured contracts with Qatar valued at over $100 million. Rafael signed separate deals worth tens of millions of dollars. Israel Aerospace Industries reportedly had an extended relationship with the Gulf state, marked by at least 20 visits by senior company officials to Doha and a high-level Qatari delegation spending an entire day touring the company’s Israeli headquarters.
Much of this cooperation came to a halt after the events of October 7, which disrupted ongoing negotiations and led to the cancellation of some previously signed contracts.
In a statement, Elbit Systems noted: “Elbit Systems’ activities in the international market are subject to the guidelines and restrictions of the Israeli Defense Ministry, and accordingly, the company operates under these guidelines.”
Rafael issued a similar response, saying: “Rafael does not provide information about business partners. Rafael has operated and operates according to the strictest international standards, with regard to the compliance of its business partners and in accordance with the Export Control and Licensing Law.”
{Matzav.com Israel}