On September 9, 2025, Israel launched an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Doha, the capital of Qatar, who were discussing the principles of a ceasefire and hostage exchange proposed by the United States (US). The attack was clearly aimed at preventing Hamas from gaining political legitimacy and sabotaging negotiation process. Furthermore, Israel’s disregard for international law and its attack on Qatar, a prominent regional mediator and designated a “major non-NATO ally” by the US, demonstrates that Israel and its supporters pose a significant threat to regional security and are intent on spreading war in the Middle East.
The Doha attack should not be considered solely as a threat to regional peace. This attack is a critical development that also deeply concerns the European Union (EU). Qatar’s security is closely linked EU’s energy policy, European Neighbourhood Policy, and Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives. Indeed, while the EU defines itself as a defender of international law, diplomatic solutions, and multilateralism, it also strives to establish its global leadership by emphasising its identity as a normative power. Qatar attack, which violates Israel’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and disregards international law and principles, also targets normative EU stance.
At the same time, conflicts in the region pose threats to European security, including migration, radicalisation, and terrorist activities. In this context, the Doha attack is likely to escalate tensions in the region, trigger a new influx of refugees, and strengthen radical groups.
On the other hand, EU-Qatar relations are important both in terms of bilateral relations and the EU’s Gulf policy. Especially after the Russo-Ukrainian War, a key goal for European countries has been to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, and this goal has brought the EU and Qatar closer together. In first quarter of 2025, Qatari LNG accounted for 10.8% of the EU’s total imports.[i] Long-term LNG agreements have been signed between Qatar Energy and companies such as TotalEnergies, Shell and Eni for next 27 years.[ii] Considering the energy link between Qatar and the EU, the Doha attack poses a threat to Europe’s energy supply security.
Qatar is an important ally not only in terms of energy security but also with its foreign policy built on neutrality and mediation, aligning with the EU’s multilateralism, conflict resolution, and regional stability objectives. Qatar, with its active communication channels and diplomatic initiatives with Hamas, which the EU designates as a “terrorist organisation,” and other actors, provides the EU, which has limited capacity to exert influence in the Middle East, with the opportunity to engage in indirect diplomacy in regional crises. In this regard, Qatar’s capacity in both energy and diplomacy offers EU an opportunity to reduce its dependence on the US in the Middle East and strengthen its own diplomatic weight.
The context outlined here demonstrates that EU-Qatar relations are a multifaceted strategic partnership. Based on this special bond, it is questionable whether the Doha attack will trigger a transformation in EU politics, which is known for its inaction towards Israel’s policies that disregard international law and norms. This is because Israel, with its attack on Qatar’s sovereignty, has once again disregarded the EU’s sensitivity to normative values. Therefore, on a normative level, this attack can be considered a “breaking news.” Indeed, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that attack on Qatar was unacceptable; the Spanish Foreign Ministry stated that the bombing clearly violated Qatar’s territorial sovereignty and international law; and Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin stated that the attack distanced the region from a ceasefire and lasting peace. The EU also condemned the attack, emphasising that Qatar’s territorial integrity was violated and that crisis risks further escalation.[iii]
European leaders’ statements indicate that the EU has adopted a common rhetorical stance against Israel’s attack on Qatar. In addition to this common stance, the attack could lead to increased criticism of Israel and pressure from the European public, including sanctions. The Doha attack, coupled with increased public pressure and expectations from the EU for policies aligned with normative values, could accelerate the decision to recognise Palestine by countries with reservations about its recognition.
However, while the recognition decision doesn’t alter the balance of power on the ground, it does offer a symbolic gain. Therefore, the EU’s symbolic steps following the Doha attack will fall short of Qatar’s expectations from the EU and will call into question the EU’s credibility in Qatar’s eyes.
Qatar defined Israel’s attack as a “security problem” and also highlighted its violation of international law and sovereignty.[iv] In this context, it is estimated that Qatar’s expectations from the EU will be to establish sanction mechanisms that can put pressure on Israel and to undertake diplomatic initiatives supporting Qatar on international platforms. Considering that it is also an attack on Qatar’s mediation role, Qatar will seek EU support in its mediation efforts.
In light of all these developments, it’s clear that Israel’s attack on Qatar will present the EU with a dilemma. On one hand, the EU could strengthen its role as a global actor by collaborating with Qatar against Israeli policies that undermine its normative identity. On the other hand, any political or economic pressure exerted by the EU against Israel could lead to tensions in both EU-Israel and EU-US relations. Existing cooperation between many European countries and Israel in technology, defence, industry, and intelligence influences the EU’s stance. At same time, the US, Israel’s closest ally, expects the EU to act in accordance with the transatlantic bond in its policy toward Israel. Therefore, the possibility of the EU creating a collective policy that could create deterrence against Israel is weak.
As a result, Israel’s attack on Qatar, which has close ties with the West, directly impacts the EU’s security, energy, and foreign policy interests, while the EU’s stance on the attack could shape the future of EU-Qatar relations. If the EU’s policy after the Doha attack fails to move beyond condemning Israel and increasing the number of European countries recognising Palestine, Qatar may begin to question its relationship with the EU and further strengthen its ties with regional powers. Therefore, Israel’s attack on Qatar not only undermines regional peace but also targets the deepening of EU-Qatar relations and the EU’s ability to develop policies independent of the US in the Middle East.
[i] “EU imports of energy products-latest developments”, Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=EU_imports_of_energy_products_-_latest_developments#:~:text=, (Access Date: 10.09.2025).
[ii]“Suyash Pande, LNG contracts with European buyers likely to include natural gas indexation”, S&P Global, https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/lng/103123-qatar-energys-long-term-lng-contracts-with-european-buyers-likely-to-include-natural-gas-indexation, (Access Date: 10.09.2025).
[iii] Melike Pala, “European leaders condemn Israeli strike on Qatar as violation of sovereignty”, Anadolu Ajansı, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/european-leaders-condemn-israeli-strike-on-qatar-as-violation-of-sovereignty/3683256, (Access Date: 10.09.2025).
[iv] “Katar’dan İsrail açıklaması”, Habertürk, https://www.haberturk.com/katar-dan-israil-aciklamasi-3821214, (Access Date: 10.09.2025).
