Trump’s Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Pushes Netanyahu on Hostage Deal in Doha

Trump’s Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Pushes Netanyahu on Hostage Deal in Doha

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level meeting on Saturday, January 11, to discuss the ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to a recently published report in The Jewish Press. The meeting included Israeli defense officials and security leaders, as well as American negotiators representing both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration. At the conclusion of the meeting, Netanyahu ordered Mossad Director David Barnea, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, Maj.-Gen. (Res) Nitzan Alon, and his Foreign Policy Adviser, Dr. Ophir Falk, to travel to Doha, Qatar, to advance the hostage deal. The Jewish Press report emphasized the high stakes involved in these negotiations, particularly with the looming transition of power in Washington.

Among the key figures at this meeting was Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate mogul recently appointed as President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East. The Jewish Press reported that Witkoff, a longtime friend and golfing companion of Trump, played a crucial role in pressuring Netanyahu to accept certain compromises necessary for securing the release of the hostages. Two Arab officials cited by The Times of Israel indicated that Witkoff’s influence in just one meeting surpassed what outgoing President Joe Biden had managed throughout the previous year in negotiations with Israel. The Jewish Press report highlighted the significance of Witkoff’s involvement, noting that his ability to shape the discussion reflected the incoming Trump administration’s more aggressive approach to diplomacy in the region.

Before joining the negotiations in Israel, Witkoff had already spent a week in Doha, working to finalize the framework for a hostage deal before Trump’s inauguration the following Monday. The report in The Jewish Press noted that the urgency of these negotiations was driven not only by humanitarian concerns but also by the strategic interests of the incoming administration, which sought to demonstrate an immediate impact on Middle East affairs. Witkoff’s reputation as a shrewd and pragmatic negotiator, as described by The Wall Street Journal, positioned him as a formidable force in the talks. In November 2024, the publication cited real estate industry insiders who praised Witkoff as “smart, personable, and a talented negotiator with a common touch.”

The Jewish Press also explored Witkoff’s deep financial ties to Qatar, which may have influenced his effectiveness in the hostage negotiations. In August 2023, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a sovereign wealth fund, purchased the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan from Witkoff for approximately $623 million. This transaction represented a 17.5% discount compared to the price Witkoff paid for the hotel in 2013. The Jewish Press pointed out that this deal was part of a broader pattern of fluctuating foreign investments in the property, which had changed hands multiple times over the past decade. In 2016, a 41% stake was sold to China’s Greenland Group, and in 2018, Hong Kong-based Jynwel Capital Limited sold part of its share to the UAE’s Mubadala Development Company.

Given these financial dealings, The Jewish Press report questioned whether Witkoff’s familiarity with the Qatari elite helped him secure more favorable terms in the hostage negotiations. His relationship with key Qatari officials, including his participation in the May 2024 Qatar Economic Forum alongside Khalid Ahmed Al-Obaidli, president of Qatar’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority, provided him with valuable diplomatic leverage. The Jewish Press underscored that Witkoff’s ability to navigate both business and political spheres may have made him an ideal figure to bridge the gap between Israeli and Qatari negotiators.

Last November, Jewish Insider noted that Qatar had actively sought to court Witkoff, presumably to advance its interests through his business ventures. Such connections bring into question how his role under Trump might align with U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly when considering Qatar’s complex relationship with both the United States and Israel.

Trump’s endorsement of Witkoff has been resolute. In his official statement, the former president emphasized that Witkoff is someone he has known for decades, asserting that he “will be an unrelenting voice for peace and make us all proud.” However, as The Jewish Press report pointed out, not everyone is convinced that Witkoff’s approach will be in America’s best interests. Jewish Insider quoted Ben Baird, director of advocacy for the Middle East Forum, who speculated on potential geopolitical maneuvering at play. Baird noted, “One can’t help but wonder if there aren’t some geopolitics at play here. It’s not a sure bet how people like Witkoff are going to enact policies. They’re not always going to benefit Qatar, and especially when you have competing interests involved, I still think they’ll do what’s best for American interests.”

Despite Trump’s confidence in Witkoff, The Jewish Press raised critical concerns about the implications of his appointment for Israel. At a time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under intense scrutiny for what many see as capitulating to international pressure—agreeing to release an “absurd” number of terrorists with blood on their hands while settling for only a partial hostage deal—the introduction of a figure with significant Qatari ties into Trump’s sphere is being viewed with deep skepticism. The Jewish Press report emphasized the fear that such diplomatic decisions could ultimately weaken Israel’s position, especially given Qatar’s historically problematic role in financing Hamas and other extremist elements in the region.

Adding another layer to the controversy, The Jewish Press report indicated that Trump’s earlier warning of “hell to pay” in Gaza has not materialized in the way many anticipated. Instead of Hamas suffering the brunt of the consequences, Netanyahu’s government is the one making painful concessions, including the withdrawal of IDF forces from large areas of Gaza. If Witkoff’s appointment signals a shift toward greater Qatari influence in Trump’s foreign policy calculations, The report in The Jewish Press suggested that this could be yet another troubling development for Israel and its supporters.