An uproar has ensued over Israel , engulfing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu His office following the detention of two close colleagues.
It’s alleged that the duo received funds from Qatar with the aim of enhancing the nation's reputation in Israel, which has sparked worries regarding external interference in top-tier governmental positions.
The arrests have stunned numerous Israelis, considering Qatar's seen backing. Hamas And due to the absence of official diplomatic ties with Israel, Qatar plays a crucial role as an intermediary in cease-fire discussions between Hamas and Israel, denying accusations of backing the militant organization.
Although Prime Minister Netanyahu has submitted a statement to law enforcement, he is not considered a suspect and refutes the accusations as an unfounded effort aimed at toppling his administration.
The newest probe contributes to a string of controversies involving Netanyahu, who is presently undergoing a corruption trial and often charges a "shadow government" with plotting against him. Detractors assert that Netanyahu, the country’s most extended serving premier, has eroded key public entities such as the judicial system. Adding fuel to this fire, his recent bid to oust the chief of Israel's internal intelligence service — which is probing potential ties with Qatar — has intensified these worries.
Labelled "Qatargate" by Israeli press, the inquiry focuses on claims that two senior advisors to Netanyahu – veteran media strategist Jonatan Urich and ex-spokesperson Eli Feldstein – were tasked with orchestrating a PR initiative aimed at enhancing Qatar’s reputation amongst Israelis during its mediation efforts concerning a truce with Hamas. Gaza . The payments were apparently routed through a American lobbyist.
Based on a legal filing, the American lobbyist along with Urich established a "professional relationship" aimed at favorably promoting Qatar while disseminating unfavorable statements about Egypt , an additional key figure in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks.
It is claimed that Feldstein received payment for relaying these messages to reporters. Both he and Urich might be charged with contacting a foreign agent, money laundering, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as reported by Israeli news outlets. Apart from potential monetary benefits, the reasons behind their actions remain uncertain.
An Israeli journalist involved in the inquiry is Zvika Klein, who serves as the editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, an English-language daily. As reported earlier this week in the same paper, Klein traveled to Qatar last year upon receiving an official invite from their administration and later penned several pieces reflecting on his experiences. One such article detailed Qatar’s stance refuting Israel’s assertion that the country supports extremist organizations. The publication mentioned that despite attempts, they were unable to reach Klein for further remarks; he is presently prohibited from engaging with members of the press.
Attorneys representing Urich and Feldstein did not reply to requests seeking their comments.
Netanyahu has criticized the investigation as a political lynching and alleged that the police are treating his advisors like "hostages" — phrasing that upset many in Israel since Hamas continues to hold numerous captives within their territory. Gaza following its Oct. 7, 2023, assault that sparked the conflict.
On Tuesday, a judge prolonged the detention orders for Urich and Feldstein. The latter faces charges in an unrelated case related to the disclosure of confidential data to a German newspaper.
Should these fresh accusations be confirmed, "this constitutes an abuse of power," stated Tomer Naor from the Movement of Quality Government in Israel. He highlighted his concern over how straightforwardly external entities seem to have penetrated the prime minister's close-knit group. Furthermore, according to him, the advisors apparently pushed Qatar-related viewpoints onto reporters with the misleading appearance that such communications originated directly from the prime minister's office.
The roughly 18-month-long conflict in Gaza continues unabated following the breakdown of a 42-day truce that Qatar significantly helped establish last month.
Among Israelis, this gas-rich emirate is most recognized for starting financial aid to Gaza from 2018 onwards—a move intended to assist impoverished households. However, according to analysts and ex-officials, part of the funds sent under Netanyahu’s approval ended up reaching Hamas' armed faction, aiding them in preparing for the October 7, 2023, assaults.
Israelis remain wary of Qatar’s motives due to its status as a base for Hamas’ political leadership, and because its media outlet, Al Jazeera, is viewed by Israel as an extension of Hamas, despite the network refuting these claims. Qatar asserts that it has supplied humanitarian assistance to Gaza in collaboration with the Israeli authorities.
When contacted by the Associated Press, a representative from the Qatari government did not explicitly address the claims about connections to Advisers of Netanyahu. The official stated that mediation attempts regarding Gaza will proceed. They chose to remain anonymous in accordance with established guidelines.
Previously subjected to a regional blockade due to its supposed connections with Islamist extremist groups and Iran Qatar has strived for a considerable time to be recognized as a prominent figure in the region and as a reliable mediator in resolving conflicts.
However, during the conflict in Gaza, numerous individuals in Israel, including Netanyahu, voiced frustration that Qatar was not sufficiently exerting pressure on Hamas to agree to Israel's conditions for a truce.
Qatar’s aim in the alleged public-relations campaign in Israel may have been to quell those accusations and make sure they didn’t influence the U.S., with whom it has close security ties, said Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank.
He stated that any attempt to defame Egypt , long-standing mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, might have served as a means for Qatar to enhance its position in the region.
Qatar evokes strong feelings in Israel due to its perceived significant support for Hamas prior to their October 7th assault, according to Guzansky. Previously, Netanyahu had authorized the movement of Qatari funds into Gaza as part of an approach aimed at managing Hamas, he elaborated.
Qatar deserves disdain. However, we must examine our own actions," he stated. "Not only did we permit, but we also promoted Qatari investment in Gaza.
The extent of Netanyahu's knowledge regarding his advisors' suspected misconduct remains unclear.
Former assistants who faced legal troubles have become prosecution witnesses against Netanyahu in his corruption trial. Following the arrests of Urich and Feldstein earlier this week, Netanyahu’s questioning for the case came to a halt; however, he was still required to provide a statement to the police regarding the matter.
Netanyahu faces significant public scrutiny to take accountability for his part in not averting the Oct. 7 assault, which includes permitting Qataris funds to be transferred to Gaza.
Large-scale demonstrations broke out in the past few weeks due to Netanyahu’s choice to terminate the Gaza cease-fire, which had led to the freeing of numerous captives. The protests also stemmed from his attempts to dismiss the leader of Israel's internal intelligence service along with its top legal advisor.
Efforts to dismiss Shin Bet head Ronen Bar were underway as the organization conducted its own inquiry into connections with Qatar. This led to claims that Netanyahu aimed to stifle the investigation.
Netanyahu has proposed, without substantial proof, that the investigation resulted from an alliance between Bar and the attorney general aimed at preventing the removal of the homeland security chief. The court halted Bar's dismissal until additional hearings take place. Nonetheless, Netanyahu continues to seek a successor for Bar.
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