Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration is once again embroiled in controversy after Israeli police arrested two of his close associates on suspicion of accepting payments from Qatar to promote the Gulf state’s image in Israel.
The unfolding scandal, dubbed “Qatargate” by Israeli media, has sent shockwaves through the country, given Qatar’s complex role in regional politics and its lack of formal diplomatic ties with Israel.
At the center of the investigation are Jonatan Urich, a longtime media consultant for Netanyahu, and Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman. Both are accused of running a covert public relations campaign aimed at improving Qatar’s standing among Israelis while the country mediated ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Payments were allegedly funneled through an American lobbyist, with Urich reportedly working to push pro-Qatar narratives while undermining Egypt—another key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Feldstein is suspected of passing these messages to journalists, with reports suggesting that he and Urich may face charges of contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, and money laundering.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny on Netanyahu, though he is not a suspect in the case. The prime minister has dismissed the probe as a politically motivated effort to weaken his leadership, calling it a “witch hunt” and accusing the police of holding his advisers as “hostages.”
His remarks sparked backlash, as many in Israel are still reeling from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that led to the ongoing war in Gaza and the capture of dozens of Israeli hostages.
The case has also entangled Israeli media. One journalist questioned in the investigation is Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, who visited Qatar last year and later published articles portraying the country’s stance on accusations of supporting Hamas. The newspaper has confirmed that Klein is under a gag order and unable to speak publicly about the matter.
Critics say the scandal raises serious concerns about foreign influence in Netanyahu’s inner circle. Tomer Naor of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel warned that if the allegations are true, it represents a serious abuse of office. “What’s particularly worrying is how easily outside actors appear to have gained access to the prime minister’s advisers while giving the impression that their messaging was coming from the government itself,” Naor said.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, which reignited after the collapse of a 42-day ceasefire last month. Qatar has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, but many Israelis remain skeptical of its intentions. Since 2018, Qatar has sent financial aid to Gaza, ostensibly to assist impoverished families. However, some Israeli analysts argue that funds, approved at the time by Netanyahu’s government, ultimately strengthened Hamas’ military wing, aiding its preparations for the deadly October 7 attacks.
As the investigation continues, the scandal threatens to deepen the political crisis surrounding Netanyahu, who remains embroiled in a long-running corruption trial while battling accusations of undermining Israel’s judiciary and security institutions. A judge on Tuesday extended the detentions of Urich and Feldstein, with further legal proceedings expected in the coming weeks.
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