Explosive scandal: Israeli cyber company trained Qatar agents for eight years

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, the president of the cyber group providing services and support to the Qatari government is none other than former IDF Chief of Staff and minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

By Gila Isaacson, JFeed

Israeli companies based in Ra’anana are operating a support system for the Qatari army, focusing on training soldiers in cyber operations, as revealed this morning (Thursday) in TheMarker.

According to a report by journalist Gur Megiddo, these companies have been collaborating with the Qatari government for nearly eight years.

As part of the joint work, two training facilities for cyber operations were established within military bases in Doha, where hundreds of Qatari soldiers have been trained since the collaboration began.

According to the investigation, the group claims its activities are limited to defensive operations.

However, documents and conversations by TheMarker with sources who worked with the company in Qatar prove that, at the very least in the past, the company was also involved in training Qatari trainees in offensive cyber operations.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, the president of the cyber group providing services and support to the Qatari government is none other than former IDF Chief of Staff and minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

Another senior official in the group is Hagai Atkin, a former senior official in the Mossad in the field of cyber and technology.

Maj. Gen. (res.) Lior Carmeli, who served as head of the IDF’s Cyber Defense and Telecommunications Division, also holds a significant role as a member of the group’s advisory committee.

Carmeli serves in the reserves as head of the military directorate for prisoners and missing persons, managing relations with the families of those kidnapped on October 7.

This creates an additional absurdity when considering Qatar’s involvement in funding Hamas and mediating to end the war.

According to the cyber group BSW, the three defense establishment senior officials were not directly involved in the project carried out by the company for the Qatari army, though they are aware of its existence.

In response, BSW stated:

“The company’s global activities in the cyber field focus solely on defense, training, and preparedness. All activities are conducted in accordance with relevant laws, with full transparency, and are carried out with uncompromising responsibility and professionalism.

Lt. Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi, president of CyberProAi, one of the group’s companies, has never been involved in any activities with Qatar on behalf of the group, including not visiting the country or participating in meetings with Qatari officials.

Similarly, the group’s advisors, Hagai Atkin and Maj. Gen. (res.) Lior Carmeli, who support the group’s growth in new markets, are not involved.”