Retired Maj. Gen. Yoav (Poli) Mordechai has been suspended from his role in the IDF hostages command after being questioned last Thursday at the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit in connection with the "Qatargate" investigation.
He was summoned following new developments in the case, as suspicions against him grew stronger. The interrogation lasted several hours, after which he was released under restrictive conditions – one of which is his removal from the IDF headquarters that coordinates efforts regarding hostages.
A source familiar with the details told Israel Hayom: "It cannot be that someone suspected of a bribery-related relationship with Qatar continues to sit in positions where ties with Qatar are maintained. He is in a conflict of interest."
Mordechai, a former Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, was also questioned last month on suspicion of accepting bribes in the affair. He serves as a partner and director in the company Novard, alongside a former senior Mossad official who has also been questioned in the case. According to investigators, Mordechai and his partner approached Jonathan Urich and Yisrael Einhorn, who were acting on behalf of the Qatari government.
Mordechai responded: "Throughout my career I have always strictly adhered to the law, in every respect, and assisted the State of Israel whenever required. In this case as well, even though everything was done openly, transparently and in accordance with legal requirements, I will do whatever is necessary to help the authorities uncover the truth and act according to their instructions, if only because establishing the truth will prove that my conduct was flawless and beyond reproach."
