US Jewish politician rejects Qatar invite over Hamas appeasement

U.S. Congressman Greg Landsman snubs Qatar over its ties to Hamas, citing Doha’s support for terrorism.

By World Israel News Staff

A Jewish American politician rejected an invitation from Qatar to visit the country, formally notifying Doha that he was declining due to its policy of placating the Hamas terror group.

Ohio Congressman Greg Landsman wrote an open letter to Qatari Ambassador to the U.S. Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, explaining why he would not allow one of his staff members — who had been invited for a cultural exchange program — to travel to the Gulf kingdom.

“Normally, I encourage my staff to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about our allies and identify further opportunities for collaboration. It is essential to my role as a member of Congress. However, Qatar’s gross mishandling of the hostage crisis in Gaza and failure to sufficiently pressure Hamas into ending the war prevents me from allowing staff to visit your country,” Landsman wrote.

“This close relationship between the United States and Qatar makes it particularly disappointing to continuously observe your sheltering and support of terror organizations, including terrorists who have killed Americans. While I support our strategic partnership, there is bipartisan, bicameral congressional interest in reevaluating it – an effort I am hesitant to support yet am open to considering if we are unable to make progress on key issues.”

Landsman added that he “hopes that we share a goal of creating a stable, peaceful Middle East.”

Due to his pro-Israel stance, Landsman has endured long-term harassment from pro-Palestinian activists.

“They don’t just protest. They get in my face, screaming about the ‘genocide’ I’m causing,” Landsman said in a May statement.

He added that anti-Israel demonstrators had also threatened his family.

A Democrat, Landsman visited Israel for a solidarity visit in June 2024, as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation.