British journalist Douglas Murray has expressed a strong opinion regarding Israel's military actions targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. In a recent interview in Montreal, he stated, "The scandal is not that Israel acted, but that it had to." Murray, known for his bestselling book "On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization," criticized the presence of Hamas leaders in Doha, questioning, "Why are there terrorist leaders in Qatar?" He pointed out that Hamas commanders have lived openly in Qatar, benefiting from Western financial support while orchestrating attacks on Israel.

Murray accused Qatar of playing a dual role, acting as both a supporter of terrorism and a supposed peacemaker. He remarked, "That’s the mobster’s trick: you carry out violence on one hand, then present yourself as a peacemaker on the other." He emphasized that the international community has largely ignored this situation, allowing it to continue.

During his speech at The Chevra synagogue, Murray addressed the Jewish community, emphasizing the urgency of the current geopolitical climate. He criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's stance on recognizing a Palestinian state, stating, "Canada is not in a position to create new states in the Middle East." He described the idea of a two-state solution as unrealistic, asserting that Hamas's actions on October 7 effectively ended that possibility.

Murray also dismissed Carney's claim that "Canadian values are Muslim values" as mere political maneuvering. He argued that such statements lack serious consideration and are a form of pandering. He expressed concern that Carney's approach could undermine Canada's credibility internationally, questioning, "Who does he think he is? It is not Canada’s role to impose a solution in the Middle East. That era ended long ago."

Murray did not shy away from addressing the rise of vandalism and intimidation against Jewish institutions in Canada since October 7. He characterized these acts as domestic terrorism, stating, "I’d be very surprised if the Canadian government would tolerate this level of violence if it were coming from white supremacists." He noted that the violence is treated differently when it is associated with the Palestinian cause.

He warned that the extremism targeting Israel is part of a broader agenda, stating, "The obsession with destroying Israel is just the first stage." He urged listeners to recognize the implications of anti-Israel protests, suggesting that they often do not reflect a genuine commitment to Canadian values.

Murray's remarks were intended to provoke thought and discussion about the challenges facing both the Middle East and Western societies. He framed the current debates as a struggle for the survival of civilization against internal threats. His comments resonated with many in the audience, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues both abroad and within Canada.