Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to provide open testimony Monday in the expanding "Qatargate" investigation, following the arrests of his senior aide Jonathan Urich and associate Eli Feldstein.
Officials from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's office are currently working to coordinate the timing and location of Netanyahu's testimony – determining whether it will take place at the prime minister's office or at Lahav 433 police headquarters. Netanyahu's scheduled court appearance in his ongoing corruption cases was canceled five hours before its planned start time to accommodate this new testimony.
Open testimony differs significantly from a formal interrogation. In this format, Netanyahu will be permitted to present his account freely without interruption or guidance from investigators. He will control the narrative flow, speaking at his own pace and in his preferred order of events. This contrasts with an interrogation, where investigators would direct the questioning, potentially challenging contradictions or inconsistencies. Investigators retain the right to convert the session into a formal interrogation if circumstances warrant.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid issued his first response to Netanyahu's announcement regarding the appointment of Eli Sharvit as the next Shin Bet director.
"The announcement about selecting the new Shin Bet chief comes on the very morning when two of Netanyahu's closest confidants were arrested for their suspected involvement in 'Qatargate' – one of the most serious security breaches in the nation's history," Lapid said. "This represents a transparent attempt by Netanyahu to divert attention from what truly matters. This attempt will fail."
Lapid acknowledged Sharvit's qualifications while questioning the timing: "Reserve Major General Eli Sharvit is an outstanding officer with commendable service. He's a person of integrity capable of leading a security organization – but he cannot assume the role of Shin Bet director under these circumstances. It's his responsibility to make this clear to Netanyahu."
"General Sharvit should inform Netanyahu: I will only assume this position with Supreme Court approval and after the completion of the Shin Bet's investigation into the Qatargate affair," Lapid continued. "His appointment must not interfere with a security and criminal investigation involving an enemy state's penetration of Netanyahu's office and substantial payments to individuals in Netanyahu's innermost circle."
Lapid concluded with sharp criticism of the appointment process: "Before replacing the Shin Bet director, the agency must complete its investigation of the office staff and investigate Netanyahu himself. If Netanyahu knew about these activities, that's grave and dangerous. If he didn't know, it means he lost control of his office during wartime – equally serious and dangerous."
"This isn't about General Sharvit's qualifications," Lapid emphasized. "It's about the rushed, panicked and irresponsible selection process for the next Shin Bet chief – a process designed solely to halt the Qatargate investigation before Netanyahu faces questioning, as the Attorney General directed just moments ago."
"General Sharvit should announce today that while he accepts the position, he will not assume his role until the Qatargate investigation concludes," Lapid stated. "He certainly should not take office while the court order suspending the appointment remains in effect."
