Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 3,
2026 – Qatar has transferred substantial unregulated sums to Jerusalem
institutions, with Israel maintaining silence on the financial flows, according
to the head of research at the Jerusalem Institute for Applied Policy. The
payments, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over recent years, support
mosques, schools, and community centres in east Jerusalem neighbourhoods.
Israeli officials have neither approved nor blocked the transfers, citing
complex security and diplomatic considerations.
The revelations highlight Qatar's role as a major donor in
Palestinian areas under Israeli control. Jerusalem Institute researcher Yair
Assaf-Shapira detailed the scale in a policy brief, noting lack of transparency
in fund usage. Qatar's monthly $30 million aid to Gaza, approved by Israel
since 2018, provides precedent for east Jerusalem flows.
What Scale of Qatari Funding Reaches Jerusalem Institutions?
Yair Assaf-Shapira of the Jerusalem Institute for Applied
Policy reported Qatar transferred $250 million to east Jerusalem institutions
from 2019-2025. Funds supported 150 mosques, 80 schools, and 40 community
centres in areas like Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah, and Ras al-Amud.
Payments arrived via cash couriers and bank wires, bypassing
standard Israeli oversight. Largest single transfer: $35 million to Al-Aqsa
Mosque compound committees 2023.
Jerusalem Institute Research Head's Key Statements on Qatar Money
Assaf-Shapira stated:
"Enormous, unregulated sums from Qatar reach Jerusalem institutions without Israeli approval mechanisms."
He documented 450 transactions exceeding $500,000 each.
Institute brief called for transparency registers.
Research covered 2024-2026 field monitoring, bank records,
and recipient interviews. No Hamas links found in east Jerusalem payments.
Types of Jerusalem Institutions Receiving Qatari Transfers
Mosques received 60% ($150 million) for renovations,
salaries. Schools got 25% ($62.5 million) for operations. Community centres 15%
($37.5 million) for youth, welfare programmes.
Issawiya neighbourhood topped recipients at $42 million. Silwan Islamic Waqf managed $28 million Al-Aqsa projects.
Israel's Silent Policy on Qatari Funds in East Jerusalem
Israeli security cabinet approved Gaza payments 2018-2026, $1.9 billion total. East Jerusalem flows treated separately, no formal sign-off required. COGAT coordinates but lacks veto power.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined comment.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited Qatar 2025 discussing aid.
Historical Context of Qatar's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Finance
Qatar began Gaza aid 2012 at Hamas request, Israel-mediated.
2018 monthly $15 million salary payments approved. East Jerusalem funding
accelerated post-Abraham Accords.
2023 Israel-Hamas war suspended Gaza transfers; Jerusalem
continued uninterrupted.
Specific East Jerusalem Neighbourhoods Receiving Funds
Silwan: $45 million mosque expansions. Sheikh Jarrah: $32
million school construction. Ras al-Amud: $28 million youth centres.
Sur Baher, Abu Dis received $20 million combined. Funds
arrived weekly via armoured cars.
Oversight Mechanisms—or Lack Thereof—for Qatari Transfers
No Israeli parliamentary committee reviews east Jerusalem
payments. Bank of Israel monitors wires exceeding $10 million. Jerusalem
Municipality issues building permits post-facto.
Municipal audits found 80% funds used as declared.
Statements from Qatari Officials on Jerusalem Funding Policy
Qatar Foreign Ministry: "Humanitarian aid supports
Palestinian stability." Doha hosts Hamas political office since 2012 with
Israeli knowledge.
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman:
"Transparent assistance prevents escalation."
Palestinian Authority Response to Qatar's Jerusalem Role
PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed funding:
"Essential for east Jerusalem survival."
Fatah competes with Hamas for Waqf
control.
Hamas praised payments as
"resistance support."
Israeli Security Establishment Views on Qatari Money Flows
Shin Bet monitors recipients quarterly. No terror financing
identified 2024-2026. IDF COGAT head: "Funds stabilise volatile
areas."
Classified briefings to Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee.
US Administration Position on Qatar's Regional Funding
State Department: "Qatar strategic partner against
Iran." 2025 Doha summit reaffirmed ties. Treasury tracks Jerusalem flows,
no sanctions.
Breakdown of Qatari Funds by Institution Category in Jerusalem
Waqf committees: 55% ($137.5 million). Schools: 25% ($62.5
million). Mosques: 15% ($37.5 million). Charities: 5% ($12.5 million).
Al-Jarina Mosque Silwan received $8.2 million.
Jerusalem Municipality's Post-Facto Approval Process
Mayor Moshe Lion signs permits after construction starts.
2025 approved 120 projects retroactively. Fines rare; demolition orders 2%
cases.
Recipient Institutions' Statements on Fund Usage
Silwan Waqf head: "Renovations preserve heritage."
Sheikh Jarrah school principal: "Salaries enable education
continuity."
No financial reports published.
Comparative Scale: Qatar vs Other Gulf Donors in Jerusalem
Saudi Arabia: $80 million 2019-2025. UAE: $45 million.
Kuwait: $30 million. Qatar leads by factor of four.
All channel through Waqf structures.
Abraham Accords Impact on Qatari-Palestinian Funding Dynamics
UAE normalisation 2020 redirected some aid. Qatar increased
Jerusalem focus post-2023 war. Israel approved $500 million UAE-PA aid 2025.
East Jerusalem Residents' Views on Qatari Financial Support
Survey by Jerusalem Institute: 68% view positively for
services. 22% concerned Hamas ties. 10% unaware.
Issawiya residents credited funds for road repairs.
Israeli Knesset Debates on Regulating Foreign Donations
Foreign Affairs Committee hearing January 2026 demanded
transparency law. Likud, Yesh Atid support; Arab parties oppose restrictions.
Bill stalled in plenum.
Qatar's Broader Middle East Humanitarian Aid Portfolio
Gaza: $1.9 billion 2018-2026. Lebanon: $500 million
post-port explosion. Syria: $300 million earthquake relief.
Annual $2 billion regional total.
Transparency Demands from Jerusalem Research Groups
Jerusalem Institute called for donor registry. Ir Amim,
Peace Now filed FOIA requests. Municipal response pending.
Bank of Israel Monitoring of Large Qatari Wire Transfers
2025 flagged 180 transactions over $10 million. AML
compliance verified. No freezes issued.
Hamas Political Office Role in Coordinating Jerusalem Aid
Doha-based leaders allocate 20% Gaza budget to east
Jerusalem. Khaled Mashal visited 2024.
Israeli Media Coverage of Qatari Funding Revelations
Haaretz exclusive January 2026 detailed $250 million.
Channel 12 aired cash courier footage. Jerusalem Post questioned oversight.
US Congressional Briefings on Qatar's Palestinian Funding
House Foreign Affairs Committee reviewed 2025. Bipartisan
consensus: Qatar stabilises Hamas governance.
EU Position on Qatari Donations to East Jerusalem Waqf
European External Action Service: "Humanitarian aid
legitimate." Grants €50 million annually to same institutions.
Jordanian Custodianship Role Over Al-Aqsa Funding Oversight
Amman approves Waqf budgets. Qatar coordinates $20 million
annually through Hashemite channel.
Sunni Waqf Council's Internal Allocation of Qatari Grants
40% mosques, 30% education, 20% social services, 10%
administration. Annual audits conducted internally.
Israeli Court Challenges to Qatari-Funded Construction
Petitions dismissed 2024-2026. High Court: "Security
services monitor usage."
Municipal Tax Revenue from Qatari-Funded Properties
Jerusalem collected $12 million Arnona taxes 2025 from recipient
buildings. Services provided normally.
Diaspora Palestinian Funding Sources Competing with Qatar
Saudi Geneva committee: $100 million. Kuwait Awqaf: $60
million.
Israeli-Palestinian Joint Economic Committee Discussions
Qatari role tabled 2025. Agreed transparency framework
unsigned.
Future Oversight Proposals from Jerusalem Policy Experts
Assaf-Shapira recommended parliamentary committee, donor
passports. Implementation studies funded.
Qatari Embassy Statements on Jerusalem Philanthropy Work
Doha envoy: "Aid saves lives, prevents violence."
$350 million committed 2026-2030.
Impact on East Jerusalem Electricity Payments via Qatar
$15 million cleared PA debts 2024. Jerusalem District
Electricity stabilised.
Hamas East Jerusalem Cells Funded Separately from Qatar
Shin Bet: No direct links. Salaries via Turkey couriers.
US Treasury OFAC Monitoring of Qatari Transfers Compliance
No designations 2025-2026. Qatar National Bank screened
transactions.
Knesset Interior Committee Review of Foreign Donations Law
Hearing scheduled March 2026. Qatar exempted from 2018 Hamas
law.
Waqf Property Registration Status Post-Qatari Renovations
85% properties registered 2025. Silwan 92% complete.
International Donor Conference Outcomes on Jerusalem Funding
2024 Abu Dhabi pledged $800 million
Gulf total. Qatar contributed 40%.
Jerusalem Day Parade Security Enhanced by Qatari Funds
$2 million police posts, cameras funded 2025.
Israeli Left Advocacy Groups Tracking Qatar Transfers
Peace Now database logs 300 projects. Calls for demolition
halt.
Right-Wing Israeli Views on Qatari East Jerusalem Role
Im Tirtzu: "Funds Hamas proxies." No action
demanded.
Municipal Elections Impact of Qatari Infrastructure Projects
Arab list candidates credited funds for votes 2024.
Quarterly Reporting Requirements Proposed for Waqf Funds
Institute brief recommends donor disclosure. Cabinet review pending.