Report: From Washington to Jerusalem.. Gulf money influences international policies

SadaNews - The capital inflows from Gulf countries, primarily Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are playing an increasingly significant role in directing policies in Washington, Europe, and even in occupied Jerusalem, through various tools including lobbying groups, funding think tanks, and engaging in educational institutions and direct investments, according to political analyst and advisor at the occupation's Foreign Ministry, Mohamed Zaher, in an article published in Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

Zaher noted in his article that "since the Gulf crisis in 2017, Qatar has intensified its efforts within the United States, and pointed to official reports indicating that Qatar spends tens of millions of dollars annually to fund lobbying firms and political advisors, in addition to its support for prominent research centers like the 'Brookings Institution', which is seen as an influential actor in shaping American policies, according to SadaNews translation.

He added: "Qatar has funded the establishment of branches of prestigious universities in Doha, such as 'Georgetown' and 'Cornell', in a move viewed as part of a strategy to strengthen ties with Western political, academic, and economic elites, and to expand its influence in decision-making centers".

"Regionally, Qatar plays the role of an intermediary between the Israeli occupation and Hamas, benefiting from its geographical position and financial influence, having provided hundreds of millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip in recent years, including $360 million in 2021, and monthly aid of $15 million in 2018, often with indirect approval from the occupation and the United States," Zaher elaborated.

He added: "Qatar's influence also extends through the American military presence at its 'Al-Udeid' base, which serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Central Command, where Doha has invested over $8 billion to develop the base, granting it weight in the calculations of American foreign policy," according to SadaNews translation.

On the other hand, Zaher pointed out that "Saudi Arabia is adopting a different path by employing its Public Investment Fund as a tool of global economic influence, having acquired significant stakes in major companies like 'Lucid' electric cars, and invested billions in 'Uber' and the 'SoftBank Vision Fund'. This deep economic entanglement with the West constrains these countries' diplomatic maneuvering space on sensitive issues such as relations with China and Russia or human rights issues, including the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi."

He stated: "This reality imposes a direct impact on regional issues, especially as parties with conflicting interests regarding Palestinian rights play a role in directing Western policies toward issues like the situation in Gaza, the resistance file, or military and political support for the occupation," as translated by SadaNews.

He explained that the influx of Gulf investments into the occupied territories, particularly in the sectors of technology, real estate, and energy, raises questions about the extent of Gulf influence within Israeli institutions, and whether these investments could be used in the future as leverage or sources of information.

Amid this financial and political expansion, discussions within Israeli decision-making circles revolve around the necessity of establishing oversight mechanisms for foreign investments, specifically Gulf investments in sensitive sectors, as well as exploring imposing restrictions on funding research and academic institutions with security or strategic dimensions, according to his description.

He concluded: "It is clear that Gulf money is no longer used solely for economic purposes, but has become a soft tool for shaping policies and directing interests, which is practically reflected in the West's positions on pivotal issues in the region."