A Tennessee GOP congressman is co-sponsoring a bill that would strip Qatar of its special status as a prime ally of the United States unless it ejects the leaders of the terrorist group Hamas, who have been leading lavish lifestyles there while the people in Gaza have been living in poverty for years.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, reportedly worth more than $4 billion, Khaled Mashal, reportedly worth $4 billion, and senior Hamas political leader Abu Marzuk, estimated to be worth $3 billion, all reside in Qatar, which gives Hamas between $120 million and $480 million per year, according to a report from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD).
“As Hamas terrorists continue to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent Israeli civilians, the United States must ensure there is no ally supporting them,” Andy Ogles told The New York Post. “Sadly, the State of Qatar is still funding and supporting Hamas as its leadership enjoys political refuge in Doha.”
In mid-October, only days after the Hamas massacre of 1,400 Israelis with gruesome, horrific acts of violence, Ogles wrote, “It is imperative that Qatar: 1) Unequivocally condemn Hamas 2) Extradite Hamas leaders from Doha 3) Never let Iranians see that $6 billion.”
Ogles joined Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs in a letter to the Qatari Ambassador to the United States, stating:
We write to you with grave concern regarding Hamas’s unprovoked and criminal assault against the State of Israel. This conflict. which has led to the murder of more than a thousand Israelis, has strengthened the resolve of the United States to stand resolutely in support of our allies in Jerusalem. Neither Hamas nor any state or non-state actor contributing to these attacks against the people of Israel will be successful in their endeavor; they will meet the fate they deserve.
As a partner in the Middle East, we look to Qatar to demonstrate its resolve with the United States and to the cause of peace. Murder is a ways wrong, and we must be unequivocal when confronted with the kind of moral depravity demonstrated by Hamas. Look no further than the decapitated bodies of infant children to assess the intrinsically evil character of those attacking Israel today.
The whole world has seen how Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was able to celebrate his group’s “victory” from his office in Doha — rightfully raising questions among rightfully raising questions among the American people regarding the extent of the relationship between Qatar and Hamas.
It is imperative that Qatar:
1) Unequivocally condemn Hamas
2) Extradite Hamas leaders from Doha
3) Never let Iranians see that $6 billionThank you @RepAndyBiggsAZ and @EMET4u for your support! pic.twitter.com/0o1tblMd5A
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) October 12, 2023
The U.S. Central Command’s forward base in the Middle East is located at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, making Qatar militarily significant.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has given Hamas $380 million since 2021, according to FDD. The Biden administration has given nearly $1 billion to the UNRWA since 2021.
“Since UNRWA has long insisted it has no political screen on its aid, and since Hamas is viewed as a political party, we know with near certainty that our taxpayer dollars have been delivered into the hands of Hamas,” FDD stated, while noting the Trump administration eliminated funds for UNRWA because of its ties to Hamas.