Yair Netanyahu Blasts UK’s Starmer Over Criticism of Doha Strike

Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unleashed sharp criticism at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the UK’s condemnation of Israel’s targeted strike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar.

In a pointed post on social media platform X, Yair Netanyahu called Starmer “the communist who turned his country into the United Islamic Kingdom,” accusing him of suppressing free speech and serving what he described as “Qatari overlords.” Referencing George Orwell’s 1984, he claimed Starmer’s support for Qatar marked a betrayal of Western values and an embrace of authoritarianism.

The younger Netanyahu’s remarks came in response to Starmer’s condemnation of Israel’s Tuesday strike, which eliminated senior Hamas operatives responsible for orchestrating the October 7 massacre. Starmer warned the attack could trigger escalation and called for “an immediate ceasefire, release of the hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza.”

Yair Netanyahu did not hold back, branding Qatar as the “modern-day Nazi Germany” and accusing the Gulf state of fueling the global rise in antisemitism. “Every Jew around the world is in grave danger because of the decades-long vilification of Jews and the Jewish state by Qatar,” he wrote, citing the billions Qatar has poured into media and activist networks hostile to Israel.

He also directly attacked Qatari leadership, referring to Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his mother, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, as “the modern-day Hitler and Goebbels.”

These comments come just as Starmer prepares for a diplomatic meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The meeting has sparked backlash within the UK, with members of Starmer’s own Labour Party and other opposition MPs calling for Herzog to be barred from entering the country. Despite this, the British government has stated that it does not believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Starmer also met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, discussing the Gaza war and reaffirming the UK’s intent to support Palestinian statehood in future UN sessions.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials stand by their operation in Doha, which they say was a precise and justified response to terror masterminds living comfortably abroad while directing attacks against civilians. The Israeli government noted that efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties and emphasized that it retains the right to defend itself wherever threats may arise.

The public clash between Yair Netanyahu and the UK Prime Minister underscores the widening divide between Western nations that demand Israeli restraint and an Israeli public increasingly frustrated with perceived international double standards.

Israel will continue to defend its citizens and call out those who enable or excuse antisemitic threats. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed and stand with Israel.