Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's senior advisors Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Urich will be indicted for financial offenses in connection with the unfolding Qatargate affair, a senior official familiar with the case told Maariv.
The investigation has thus far focused primarily on alleged financial offenses. It is being led by the Israel Police’s National Unit for Serious and International Crime Investigations within Lahav 433 and conducted in cooperation with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).Qatargate is an investigation into suspected Qatari influence on figures close to the prime minister, involving the Gulf state’s alleged efforts to improve its image among the Israeli public.
Feldstein, a spokesperson, is suspected of being employed by American publicist Jay Footlik, who at the time was reportedly acting as a lobbyist for Qatar during a period of heightened regional conflict. Feldstein allegedly received payments through an Israeli businessman who confirmed he assisted Feldstein for tax-related purposes.
Urich was later brought into the arrangement, and the two allegedly used media platforms to bolster Qatar’s public image, reportedly in a way that promoted Qatari interests over those of Egypt.
The investigation has also produced new materials linked to a separate classified documents case. Prosecutors are expected to make a decision not only on whether to indict Urich, an aide, in the Qatargate case but also on whether he will face charges in the classified documents affair.
Feldstein summoned for questioning at National Crime Unit offices
Feldstein was questioned at the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit offices at the beginning of April, after which he was released to house arrest.Feldstein is one of two chief suspects in the Qatargate case. At the heart of the investigations are suspected efforts to promote pro-Qatar messaging through unofficial channels.Sources told Walla that the investigation will focus on cellphones that the police seized from Urich, which contain deleted text messages that link him to the classified documents affair, with an indictment filed against Feldstein and NCO Ari Rosenfeld for leaking a classified document to Feldstein. From there, it was publicized in the German daily Bild.