• Two of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s close associates, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, were arrested on suspicions of accepting money from Qatar.
• This was allegedly done to enhance its image in Israel—a scandal dubbed “Qatargate”.
Dubbed “Qatargate” by the Israeli media, an investigation last week focuses on allegations that two of Netanyahu’s key advisers—longtime media consultant Jonatan Urich and former spokesman Eli Feldstein—were recruited to manage a public-relations campaign designed to enhance Qatar’s image among Israelis while it negotiated a ceasefire on behalf of Hamas in Gaza. Payments in connection with this campaign were allegedly routed through an American lobbyist.
A court document states that the American lobbyist and Urich forged a “business connection” aimed at positively promoting Qatar and disseminating negative messaging about Egypt, another significant mediator in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks. Feldstein, it is alleged, received payment to relay these messages to journalists. According to Israeli media, both Feldstein and Urich could be charged with contact with a foreign agent, money laundering, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, though any motives beyond financial gain remain unclear.
Among those questioned in the case is Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the English-language daily, the Jerusalem Post. A recent report in the Post noted that Klein, who was invited by the Qatari government last year, visited the country and subsequently published a series of articles reflecting his impressions—one of which detailed Qatar’s position against Israeli claims of its support for Hamas. The newspaper mentioned that Klein, who could not be reached for comment, is currently restricted from speaking with journalists.
Lawyers representing Urich and Feldstein have not commented on the allegations.
This investigation is the latest in a series of scandals that have beleaguered Netanyahu, who is already facing a mass decline in support among Israelis and Knesset members.
Netanyahu has lambasted the investigation as a political witch hunt and accused police of holding his advisers as “hostages”.
On Tuesday, a judge extended the detention of Urich and Feldstein, the latter of whom has already been indicted in a separate case involving the leak of classified information to a German tabloid.
The identities of the two Qatari individuals involved remain undisclosed, and officials in Doha have yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Amid surging global outrage over Israel’s war crimes, any potential softening of relations by the Qataris—if confirmed—would represent a profound betrayal and an alarming moral failure.
Palestinian health authorities state Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza which has killed more than 50,000 people, with nearly a third of those massacred under 18.
