Israeli police have announced the arrest of two top aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of the ongoing ‘Qatargate’ investigation into suspected unlawful ties between Netanyahu’s inner circle and Qatar.
The suspects, identified by Hebrew-language media as Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, were taken into custody earlier today, according to a brief police statement.
The arrests are linked to an investigation by Lahav 433, Israel’s national crime unit, and the Shin Bet security agency.
Authorities are probing suspected ties between Netanyahu’s senior aides and Qatari interests.
Due to a court-imposed gag order, further details remain undisclosed.
The ‘Qatargate’ scandal gained traction following reports that Feldstein, Netanyahu’s former spokesman, allegedly compromised national security by stealing and leaking classified IDF documents.
Additionally, Feldstein is accused of working on behalf of Qatar, using an international firm hired by Doha to influence Israeli media with pro-Qatar narratives while he was employed in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Reports from November 2024 also suggested that Urich, along with another close Netanyahu aide, Yisrael Einhorn, conducted public relations work for Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With the investigation ongoing, Israeli law enforcement and intelligence agencies continue to scrutinize potential security breaches and conflicts of interest linked to Qatar’s influence in Israeli politics.
