The "Qatargate" affair erupted after revelations that Eli Feldstein, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a defendant in a separate classified documents case, allegedly received funds originating from Qatar. Israeli Channel 13 reported this week that money was funneled from Feldstein to Qatar through an indirect route involving Israeli businessman Gil Birger, who allegedly acted at the request of American lobbyist Jay Footlik, who is employed by the Qatari government.
The court ruled that Urich and Feldstein will remain detained until Thursday. According to the allegations, the three coordinated the transmission of messages to journalists that were published in the media as favorable coverage of Qatar, while downplaying Egypt's role as an impartial mediator in regional diplomacy, effectively manipulating the media agenda.
Roughly two weeks ago, Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted in an interview with public broadcaster Kan that he had transferred funds directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu's spokesman Eli Feldstein. According to various reports, Feldstein allegedly advanced Qatar's media interests in Israel, including facilitating interviews with Qatari officials and spreading positive messaging about Qatar's role in negotiations to return Israeli hostages.
This occurred while Feldstein was still serving in the Prime Minister's Office. Additionally, according to various publications, two of Netanyahu's advisers, Jonatan Urich and Israel (Shrulik) Einhorn, allegedly worked to improve Qatar's global image ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The suspicions against Urich and Feldstein include: transmission of classified information, contact with a foreign agent, bribery, breach of trust, and tax offenses. The maximum prison terms for these crimes are: 15 years for transmitting classified information, 15 years for contact with a foreign agent, 10 years for money laundering, and three years for fraud and breach of trust.
Key figures in the affair
Benjamin Netanyahu - Amid an ongoing investigation into whether Prime Minister's Office employees were linked to Qatari operatives, Netanyahu himself was summoned to provide open testimony in this case during a hearing in the Tel Aviv District Court in relation to his existing criminal cases (Cases 1000, 2000, 4000).
Eli Feldstein - A senior media advisor in Netanyahu's circle and already facing indictment in the classified documents case. The central suspicion is that he indirectly received funding from Qatar. Feldstein denies this, asserting that the payments were solely for his work in the Prime Minister's Office, and that he had no knowledge of their Qatari origin.
Jonatan Urich - Netanyahu's strategic advisor and spokesman, also questioned in the classified documents affair. Some reports claim he was involved in providing image services to Qatar while working for Netanyahu. His lawyers stated last night that "he has no idea who Gil Birger is" and that he neither handled employment arrangements nor disbursed payments within the Prime Minister's Office.
Israel (Shrulik) Einhorn - Political strategist and Netanyahu aide. According to media sources, he partnered with Urich in crafting a public relations campaign for Qatar in Israel ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Gil Birger - An Israeli businessman active in the Gulf states. In leaked recordings, he admitted to transferring money to Feldstein at the request of lobbyist Jay Footlik, citing "VAT-related matters."
Jay Footlik - Former special advisor to former US President Bill Clinton, now a lobbyist for Qatar.
Unnamed journalist - A veteran Israeli journalist was invited to give open testimony in the Qatargate affair. Hours later, the testimony turned into a formal interrogation.
Judge Menachem Mizrahi criticized police for lifting the publication gag order on the case: "This is an unusual case in which the gag order was flagrantly violated through repeated and widespread leaks. The matter was not enforced by the Israel Police. Furthermore, the investigation went public yesterday with the arrest of suspects. There is no reason to keep the gag order in place." He added, "I refrained from writing even stronger words."
In court, additional and dramatic suspicions were revealed against Urich, including the alleged transfer of information to Footlik. A police investigator claimed that Netanyahu's aide "transmitted paid messages from a source linked to Qatar," and is also suspected of obstructing justice in the classified documents case and leaking from the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet.
The investigator further revealed: "We questioned both Urich and the prime minister about a leak from the cabinet." She added, "According to the suspicion, Urich conveyed messages to the media under the guise of statements from security and political sources, when in fact the messages originated from a figure with financial and business ties to the State of Qatar, and who is funded by it."
