Qatargate Scandal Links Netanyahu Advisers to Gulf Money/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli police have arrested two close advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging they accepted Qatari funds to influence public opinion in Israel. The scandal, dubbed “Qatargate,” raises concerns over foreign influence and deepens Netanyahu’s ongoing legal and political woes. Qatar, a key Gaza mediator, denies wrongdoing.
Netanyahu’s Qatargate Scandal – Quick Looks
- Israeli police arrest two Netanyahu advisers in Qatari influence probe
- Advisers accused of promoting Qatar’s image amid Gaza ceasefire talks
- Payments allegedly funneled through U.S. lobbyist to media figures
- Netanyahu denies involvement, calls investigation a political attack
- Qatar denies links to Hamas, continues Gaza mediation efforts
- Case fuels fears over foreign access to Israeli leadership
- Netanyahu has given police a statement but isn’t a suspect
- Public backlash grows amid wider protests against Netanyahu’s leadership
- Al Jazeera and Hamas ties amplify controversy around Qatar
- Scandal halts Netanyahu’s testimony in his ongoing corruption trial
Qatargate Scandal Links Netanyahu Advisers to Gulf Money
Deep Look
Netanyahu Allies Arrested in Scandal Over Alleged Qatari Influence Operation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration is once again facing a deepening political crisis after Israeli police arrested two of his close advisers on suspicion of taking money from Qatar to sway public opinion in the Gulf state’s favor.
Dubbed “Qatargate” by Israeli media, the unfolding investigation has triggered national outrage as it implicates key figures in Netanyahu’s inner circle — and highlights concerns about foreign influence reaching the highest levels of Israeli leadership.
Advisers Accused of Shaping Public Discourse for Qatar
The two aides at the center of the probe are Jonatan Urich, Netanyahu’s longtime media consultant, and Eli Feldstein, a former spokesperson. They are accused of operating a covert public relations effort to portray Qatar positively within Israeli media, during a period when the Gulf nation was mediating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
According to court documents, the operation was allegedly funded by a U.S.-based lobbyist who served as an intermediary for Qatari interests. In exchange, the two advisers are suspected of laundering funds and passing messaging to journalists that favored Qatar while discrediting Egypt — another key regional mediator.
Prime Minister Netanyahu Denies Allegations, Blames ‘Witch Hunt’
Although Netanyahu himself is not currently a suspect, he has already provided a statement to investigators. He dismissed the case as politically motivated, saying it is part of an effort to undermine his leadership.
“This is a witch hunt,” Netanyahu said, accusing law enforcement of holding his advisers as “hostages,” a phrase that drew criticism for its insensitivity as dozens of Israeli hostages remain in Gaza after Hamas’s October 2023 attack.
The case has halted Netanyahu’s testimony in his separate corruption trial, where other former aides have already turned state witnesses.
Alleged Media Manipulation Raises Broader Concerns
Israeli media outlets have reported that Feldstein and Urich were actively involved in distributing pro-Qatari narratives, which were sometimes published without attribution. Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, was reportedly questioned by police. He visited Qatar at the government’s invitation last year and wrote a series of articles following the trip.
Legal experts warn that if proven, the alleged conduct could amount to bribery, foreign agent activity, fraud, and breach of trust — all of which carry serious legal consequences.
“What’s especially alarming is how easily foreign actors may have accessed the Prime Minister’s closest advisers,” said Tomer Naor of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel. “It raises serious questions about national security and public trust.”
Qatar’s Complex Role in the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Qatar’s involvement adds fuel to the controversy. Though it has no official diplomatic ties with Israel, it has played a central role in mediating between Israel and Hamas. Qatar insists it does not fund Hamas and has coordinated its humanitarian aid efforts with Israel.
Nevertheless, public opinion in Israel remains deeply skeptical. Many Israelis believe Qatari funds indirectly supported Hamas’s military wing ahead of its devastating October 7 attack.
Yoel Guzansky, a security analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said Qatar’s suspected goal was to neutralize criticism and maintain its credibility as a mediator. “Qatar likely wanted to shape Israeli perceptions to preserve its standing with the U.S. and regional players,” he said.
Political Fallout Grows as Netanyahu Faces Multiple Crises
The scandal comes at a politically fragile moment for Netanyahu. He is already under intense scrutiny for his handling of the war in Gaza, especially regarding his pre-war approval of Qatari cash transfers to Gaza — a policy that critics argue helped fund Hamas’s infrastructure.
Massive protests have erupted in recent weeks over Netanyahu’s decision to end a Qatar-brokered ceasefire and his attempts to remove Israel’s domestic security chief, Ronen Bar, who is leading a parallel investigation into the Qatargate affair.
A court has temporarily blocked Bar’s dismissal, but Netanyahu has continued efforts to replace him — prompting accusations that he is trying to interfere with the investigation.
Public Distrust and Legal Uncertainty Ahead
The growing scandal threatens to further erode public trust in Netanyahu’s leadership. Though the full extent of his knowledge remains unclear, his close proximity to the suspects has reignited calls for accountability and transparency at the highest levels of Israeli government.
For many Israelis, Qatargate is more than a legal case — it is a reflection of deep institutional decay and political instability.
“Qatar is contemptible,” Guzansky said, “but we should check ourselves first. We not only allowed, we encouraged Qatar to invest in Gaza.”
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