Netanyahu advisers arrested in Qatar corruption investigation – Washington Examiner
Two top aides of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jonatan urich and Eli Feldstein, were arrested amid allegations of financial ties with Qatar. This incident has heightened tensions, with Netanyahu asserting that the arrests are part of a political conspiracy aimed at undermining his right-wing government. He expressed his belief that his aides are being treated as hostages and condemned the inquiry as a “witch hunt,” aimed at discrediting him following recent intelligence failures during the surprise Hamas attack on october 7, 2023. The allegations against the aides involve serious charges such as bribery and money laundering, which pose a potential national security risk, as Israel has no formal relations with Qatar, a supporter of Hamas. A Qatari official dismissed the investigation as a smear campaign, emphasizing continued efforts towards mediation in regional negotiations despite these allegations. The case is currently under investigation by Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, and remains clouded by a gag order hindering detailed disclosures.
Netanyahu advisers arrested in Qatar corruption investigation
Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aides were arrested over allegations of financial ties with Qatar.
Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein were arrested on Monday morning. Netanyahu gave an hourlong testimony as a witness, saying the Israeli police were attempting to “topple” his “right-wing government,” rhetoric likely looking to draw support from those on the international Right angry over the prosecution of other right-wing leaders.
In remarks that drew widespread outrage, the Israeli prime minister described his two arrested aides as “hostages.”
“I understood that this was a political investigation, but I did not know how much, and that they are holding Urich and Feldstein as hostages,” he said.
The accusation of Netanyahu’s office having financial ties with Qatar could serve as a major national security threat, as Israel has no ties with the country, which is also a prominent backer of Hamas.
The details of the case are sparse thanks to a gag order. Israeli media reported that the allegations include the acceptance of bribes, fraud, breach of trust, contact with a foreign agent, and money laundering.
A Qatari official speaking with the Washington Post decried the case as a “smear campaign.”
“This is not the first time we have been the subject of a smear campaign by those who do not want to see an end to this conflict or the remaining hostages returned to their families. We will continue our mediation efforts, together with the U.S. and our regional partners, and will not be distracted or deterred by those who actively seek to derail the negotiations and prolong the conflict,” the official said.
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The investigation is being handled by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, and the Israeli police. Netanyahu said the case is a “political witch hunt that only intends to prevent the firing of the head” of the Shin Bet.
Shin Bet leader Ronen Bar was dismissed by Netanyahu’s Cabinet earlier this month, but the High Court of Justice imposed a temporary injunction on his dismissal. Netanyahu publicly blamed Bar for the intelligence failures surrounding Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack, even suggesting on Thursday that he had knowledge of the attack several hours before it happened.
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