Trump: Qatar has been 'great ally' to US, Israel has to be 'very careful'
US President Donald Trump told reporters that Qatar has been a great ally to the US and that Israel has to be "very careful," in response to a question on Sunday.
Trump was responding to a reporter who asked him what is his message was to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel's strikes on Qatar.
Trump answered that Israel has to be "very careful," noting that "they have to do something about Hamas," but that "Qatar has been a great ally to the US. A lot of people don't know that."
Trump added that he believes the Qatari Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to be a "wonderful person" who needs "better public relations," as people talk about Qatar negatively.
In Trump's opinion, people should not talk about Qatar negatively, as they have been a "very great ally," he continued, noting that "Israel and everybody else" has to be careful "when we attack people."
Earlier on Sunday, The Jerusalem Post learned that the Trump administration is holding a new round of talks with Israeli and Qatari officials in an attempt to restart stalled negotiations over a hostage release agreement.
Over the weekend, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Washington, where he met with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to two sources familiar with the talks, US officials stressed the need to “find a proper path” to resume negotiations.
Despite a recent Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar remains committed to its mediation role, the Qatari prime minister said following his return to the Gulf state.
In May, it was announced that the Trump administration was preparing to receive a Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family.
The gift is meant to serve as US President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One plane until he leaves office, at which point, it will be donated to the Trump presidential library foundation, a source familiar with the arrangement told ABC News at the time.
