Jump to content

Qatari connection affair: Difference between revisions

Page extended-confirmed-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Adjusted author info
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
Spacing
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Qatari connection affair}}
{{Qatari connection affair}}

The '''Qatari connection affair''' ("Qatargate")<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/02/14/netanyahus-top-aides-and-qatar-a-strong-stench-of-money/|title=Netanyahu's top aides and Qatar: A strong stench of money|first=Yoav|last=Limor|date=14 February 2025|publisher=[[Israel Hayom]]|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> is an affair in which it was alleged, in a series of press publications, that the nearest political advisors of the [[Prime Minister of Israel]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the [[Military reserve|reserves]], were involved in paid jobs for promoting the interests of the government of [[Qatar]], an ally and financial supporter of [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ehl |first=David |date=15 May 2021 |title=What is Hamas and who supports it? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-hamas/a-57537872 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitnick |first1=Joshua |last2=abu Alouf |first2=Rushdi |date=19 June 2017 |title=Hamas is feeling the pain of Qatar's crisis, and looking to Egypt for help |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-qatar-hamas-egypt-20170619-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, [[Shin Bet]] chief [[Ronen Bar]] affirmed that the agency was investigating the affair, which he described as complex and multi-faceted. The scandal would result in the arrests of at least two of Nentanyahu's top aides for unlawful ties to a country which supports Hamas.<ref name=aidesarrest>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-aides-urich-and-feldstein-arrested-in-qatargate-investigation/|title=Top Netanyahu aides Urich and Feldstein arrested in ‘Qatargate’ investigation|first=Jeremy|last=Sharon|publisher=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=31 March 2025|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref name=qatargate>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-31/ty-article/.premium/two-netanyahu-aides-arrested-over-connection-between-pms-office-and-qatar/00000195-eb4e-d1f1-a7d5-fbeed2ef0000|title=Two Netanyahu Aides Arrested Over Connection Between PM's Office and Qatar|first1=Bar|last1=Peleg|first2=Ran|last2=Shimoni|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|date=31 March 2025|accessdate=1 April 2025}}</ref>
The '''Qatari connection affair''' ("Qatargate")<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/02/14/netanyahus-top-aides-and-qatar-a-strong-stench-of-money/|title=Netanyahu's top aides and Qatar: A strong stench of money|first=Yoav|last=Limor|date=14 February 2025|publisher=[[Israel Hayom]]|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> is an affair in which it was alleged, in a series of press publications, that the nearest political advisors of the [[Prime Minister of Israel]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the [[Military reserve|reserves]], were involved in paid jobs for promoting the interests of the government of [[Qatar]], an ally and financial supporter of [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ehl |first=David |date=15 May 2021 |title=What is Hamas and who supports it? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-hamas/a-57537872 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitnick |first1=Joshua |last2=abu Alouf |first2=Rushdi |date=19 June 2017 |title=Hamas is feeling the pain of Qatar's crisis, and looking to Egypt for help |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-qatar-hamas-egypt-20170619-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, [[Shin Bet]] chief [[Ronen Bar]] affirmed that the agency was investigating the affair, which he described as complex and multi-faceted. The scandal would result in the arrests of at least two of Nentanyahu's top aides for unlawful ties to a country which supports Hamas.<ref name=aidesarrest>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-aides-urich-and-feldstein-arrested-in-qatargate-investigation/|title=Top Netanyahu aides Urich and Feldstein arrested in ‘Qatargate’ investigation|first=Jeremy|last=Sharon|publisher=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=31 March 2025|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref name=qatargate>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-31/ty-article/.premium/two-netanyahu-aides-arrested-over-connection-between-pms-office-and-qatar/00000195-eb4e-d1f1-a7d5-fbeed2ef0000|title=Two Netanyahu Aides Arrested Over Connection Between PM's Office and Qatar|first1=Bar|last1=Peleg|first2=Ran|last2=Shimoni|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|date=31 March 2025|accessdate=1 April 2025}}</ref>


Revision as of 17:52, 1 April 2025

Qatari connection affair
A protest against Benjamin Netanyahu on background of Qatargate investigations, 2025. Sign reads: "Qatargate – Corruption! Betrayal! Resignation now!"
States
Involved states
Events
List
People
Involved people
Journalists
Intelligence community

The Qatari connection affair ("Qatargate")[1] is an affair in which it was alleged, in a series of press publications, that the nearest political advisors of the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and a lieutenant colonel in the reserves, were involved in paid jobs for promoting the interests of the government of Qatar, an ally and financial supporter of Hamas.[2][3] In March 2025, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar affirmed that the agency was investigating the affair, which he described as complex and multi-faceted. The scandal would result in the arrests of at least two of Nentanyahu's top aides for unlawful ties to a country which supports Hamas.[4][5]

Events

On 10 February 2025, Ofer Hadad reported on Channel 12 that the closest advisors to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Yisrael Einhorn, Ofer Golan, Jonatan Urich,[6] and Eli Feldstein (who had already been arrested prior to the publication, due to his involvement in the theft and leak of classified documents, in which Qatar's name had been also mentioned[7]) were employed by the Qatari government,[8] for promoting the Qatari interests in the top political and security authorities of Israel, including the image change of Qatar. The journalist Nir Dvori [he] wrote that he had often received information from Feldstein which promoted the image of Qatar, but refused to publish it.[9]

On 12 February 2025, opposition leader, Yair Lapid, and the chairman of The Democrats, Yair Golan, requested an investigation against Netanyahu and his bureau, reasoning the actions which were done in Qatar's interests during the Gaza war, as security violations and treason against Israel.[10][11][12]

On 15 February 2025, the Shin Bet answered the questions of Mk Gilad Kariv and Mk Naama Lazimi, and said that it would investigate the revealing of the Israel state secrets.[13] On 27 February 2025, Gali Baharav-Miara, the Attorney General of Israel, instructed the Shin Bet and the Police of Israel to investigate the Qatargate.[14]

On 19 March 2025, Urich and Feldstein were investigated by the police. Their names were revealed after 48 hours.[15][16]

On 23 March 2025, Baharav-Miara wrote a letter to the government about the intention to depose her.[17][18]

Dismissal of the Shin Bet chief

On 13 March 2025, the former Shin Bet's chief, Nadav Argaman, told Yonit Levi on the Channel 12 news, that if he concluded that the prime minister would decide to act against the law, then he would disclose everything he knew.[19] As a consequence, Netanyahu complained to the Israeli police against Argaman, accusing him of blackmailing him.[20] On 16 March 2025 the police started the investigation against Argaman.[21] An expert of the Israeli criminal law said that the maximum punishment would be seven years in prison.[22]

The Shin Bet made a report, which stated also the responsibility of the Government of Israel for the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[23][24] On 16 March 2025, Netanyahu claimed that Ronen Bar would be dismissed in the near session of the government.[25][26] Baharav-Miara wrote a letter to Netanyahu and stated that the decision was not valid, due to the Shin Bet's investigation upon the Qatargate issue and the conflict of interest for Netanyahu.[25][27]

On 17 March 2025, Yair Golan said that the reason of dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet was clear: the Qatargate investigation and the unwillingness to make a comprehensive hostage deal, which would end the war in Gaza.[28] About sixty Israeli protest leaders, including Karine Nahon, Shikma Bressler and Moshe Radman, gathered for a meeting.[29] Several media outlets wrote that the dismissal would prompt accusations against the Netanyahu government for authoritarian behavior.[30][31][32] On 21 March 2025, the high court in Israel issued an injunction to prevent the dismissal.[31]

On 31 March 2025, Netanyahu announced that Eli Sharvit would be appointed as the Shin Bet chief. The United States senator Lindsey Graham stated that the appointment was not desired because of Sharvit's statements against President Donald Trump.[33] MKs Tally Gotliv and Nissim Vaturi claimed that Sharvit participated in the protest against the government,[34] and his appointment was revoked after several hours.

Arrests of Urich and Feldstein

On 31 March 2025, it was announced that both Yonathan Urich and Eli Feldstein were arrested.[4] They are accused of contact with a foreign agent, receiving bribes, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.[5] Feldstein found employment at an international firm which was contracted by Qatar to feed pro-Qatar stories to Israeli journalists, while Urich is suspected of having a role with business figures and other officials who were involved in the transferring of payments from Doha which were then covered up in effort to prevent knowledge of their origin.[35]

On the same day, Netanyahu issued a video and claimed that the arrest of Urich and Feldstein was intended to prevent the firing of Bar.[36] Netanyahu's description of his staff as hostages sparked a backlash from the Israeli families of the hostages in Gaza.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ Limor, Yoav (14 February 2025). "Netanyahu's top aides and Qatar: A strong stench of money". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  2. ^ Ehl, David (15 May 2021). "What is Hamas and who supports it?". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  3. ^ Mitnick, Joshua; abu Alouf, Rushdi (19 June 2017). "Hamas is feeling the pain of Qatar's crisis, and looking to Egypt for help". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b Sharon, Jeremy (31 March 2025). "Top Netanyahu aides Urich and Feldstein arrested in 'Qatargate' investigation". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b Peleg, Bar; Shimoni, Ran (31 March 2025). "Two Netanyahu Aides Arrested Over Connection Between PM's Office and Qatar". Haaretz. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  6. ^ Sharon, Jeremy (10 February 2025). "3 senior Netanyahu aides indicted for witness intimidation in PM's corruption cases". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  7. ^ Hadad, Ofer (13 February 2025). "הבדיקה בישראל לגבי העסקת פלדשטיין אצל קטאר, והקשר לפרשת המסמכים" [The investigation in Israel into Feldstein's employment with Qatar, and the connection to the documents affair]. Mako (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  8. ^ Ben Ari, Lior (13 February 2025). "לא רק יועציו של נתניהו לכאורה: כוח, כבוד וכסף | האחיזה של קטאר במדינות המערב" [Not only Netanyahu's alleged advisors: power, honor, and money | Qatar's grip on Western countries]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  9. ^ Arutz Sheva (12 February 2025). "ניר דבורי חשף: אלי פלדשטיין העביר לי ידיעות על קטאר" [Nir Dvori revealed: Eli Feldstein gave me information about Qatar]. Arutz Sheva (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  10. ^ Elimelech, Nadav; Ayish, Li (12 February 2025). "Lapid demands Attorney General probe Netanyahu-Qatar connection". i24NEWS. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  11. ^ Shpigel, Noa; Peleg, Bar (14 February 2025). "The Qatari Connection: Yair Golan Calls for Probe Into 'Treason' by Netanyahu and His Staff". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  12. ^ Veroslavski, Lior (13 February 2025). "גולן: לחקור את נתניהו ואנשיו בחשד לבגידה; קטר – הבנק של חמאס" [Golan: Investigate Netanyahu and his people on suspicion of treason; Qatar – Hamas’s bank]. Channel 13 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  13. ^ Bohbot, Amir; Ashkenazi, Bini (15 February 2025). "שב"כ: בוחנים את הקשר בין גורמים בלשכת רה"מ לבין קטאר; נתניהו: "מדובר בפייק ניוז"" [Shin Bet: Examining the connection between officials in the Prime Minister's Office and Qatar; Netanyahu: "This is fake news"]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  14. ^ Ashkenazi, Bini; Shalev, Tal (27 February 2025). "היועמ"שית הורתה לשב"כ ולמשטרה לפתוח בחקירה בפרשת "קטארגייט"" [The Attorney General ordered the Shin Bet and the police to open an investigation into the "Qatargate" affair]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  15. ^ ToI Staff (22 March 2025). "Suspects detained by police in 'Qatargate' probe named as PM aides Urich and Feldstein". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  16. ^ Hadad, Ofer; Tegene, Branu (21 March 2025). "פרשת קטארגייט: שני החשודים שעוכבו לחקירה – יונתן אוריך ואלי פלדשטיין". Mako (in Hebrew). Retrieved 22 March 2025. The two main figures questioned on Wednesday
  17. ^ Breuer, Eliav (23 March 2025). "Government wishes to place itself above the law, A-G says". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  18. ^ Baharav-Miara, Gali (23 March 2025). "A proposed resolution by the Minister of Justice – comments" (PDF). Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  19. ^ Isaacson, Gila (15 March 2025). "Ronen Bar slams ex-Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman, Netanyahu sues him". Jfeed.com. Retrieved 17 March 2025. If I conclude the prime minister has decided to act against the law, then I will say everything I know.
  20. ^ ToI Staff (14 March 2025). "Netanyahu files police complaint over 'mafia-like' blackmail by ex-Shin Bet chief". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  21. ^ ToI Staff (16 March 2025). "Police to question former Shin Bet chief Argaman for alleged threats against PM". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  22. ^ Ran, Hodia (16 March 2025). "חקירת ראש השב"כ לשעבר: אם יוגש כתב אישום, הענישה עשויה להיות חסרת תקדים" [Investigation of former Shin Bet chief: If an indictment is filed, punishment could be unprecedented]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  23. ^ Izso, Lauren; Danaher, Caitlin; Krever, Mick (5 March 2025). "Israel's Shin Bet says October 7 attack could have been prevented as it admits fault and casts blame". CNN. Retrieved 17 March 2025. Shin Bet also blamed policies enacted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government as contributing factors [...] Netanyahu's team has ramped up its criticism of the agency and Bar in recent weeks, especially after it was revealed that Shin Bet is investigating several people in Netanyahu's office for inappropriately lobbying on behalf of Qatar's government – something his office denies.
  24. ^ Shoval, Lilach (4 March 2025). "Failure in handling intelligence: Shin Bet investigation of October 7 massacre released". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 17 March 2025. The year 2023 was characterized by multiple Shin Bet warnings about adversaries' motivation to attack Israel [...] right up until the days before the massacre.
  25. ^ a b Rasgon, Adam; Odenheimer, Natan (16 March 2025). "Netanyahu Moves to Fire Israel's Domestic Intelligence Chief". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  26. ^ Jeremy Bob, Yonah (16 March 2025). "Netanyahu announces plan to fire Shin Bet chief as agency probes 'Qatargate'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  27. ^ Zimuki, Tova; Azulay, Moran (17 March 2025). "היועמ"שית לנתניהו: אינך יכול לפטר את ראש השב"כ" [Attorney General to Netanyahu: You cannot fire the head of the Shin Bet]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  28. ^ Adamker, Yaki (17 March 2025). "לפיד: ראשי האופוזיציה עותרים יחד לבג"ץ נגד פיטורי ראש שב"כ" [Lapid: Opposition leaders jointly petition the High Court of Justice against the dismissal of the Shin Bet head]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  29. ^ Sela, Uri; Adamker, Yaki (17 March 2025). "צעדה לירושלים החל ממחר, עיר אוהלים ללא הגבלת זמן | תוכנית המחאה נגד פיטורי ראש שב"כ" [March to Jerusalem starting tomorrow, a tent city indefinitely | A protest plan against the dismissal of the Shin Bet head]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  30. ^ Burke, Jason (16 March 2025). "Netanyahu says he will seek to dismiss head of Israel's internal security service". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2025. Prime minister's move against Shin Bet's Ronen Bar will prompt further accusations of authoritarianism
  31. ^ a b Atkinson, Emily; Baker, Graeme (21 March 2025). "Israel's Supreme Court freezes PM's order to sack security chief". BBC. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  32. ^ Goldenberg, Tia (17 March 2025). "Netanyahu's push to fire Israel's domestic security chief sparks an uproar". Associated Press. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  33. ^ Jacobs, Emily; Harkov, Lahav (31 March 2025). "Netanyahu expected to withdraw Shin Bet chief choice who criticized Trump". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  34. ^ Berman, Lazar; Freiberg, Nava; Staff, Times of Israel (31 March 2025). "Netanyahu seen likely to reverse pick for new Shin Bet head after allies protest choice". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  35. ^ "Police ask to extend remand of Netanyahu aides Urich and Feldstein for 9 days in Qatargate probe". The Times of Israel. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  36. ^ Walla News (31 March 2025). "פארסת ראש שב"כ, פרשת קטארגייט והסרטון המקומם של רה"מ: סיכום אירועי היום" [The Shin Bet head's farce, the Qatargate affair and the Prime Minister's outrageous video: A summary of today's events]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  37. ^ Walla News (31 March 2025). "נתניהו קרא לאוריך ופלדשטיין "בני ערובה", ועורר את זעם משפחות החטופים" [Netanyahu called Urich and Feldstein "hostages," provoking the anger of the abductees' families]. Walla! (in Hebrew). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Qatari_connection_affair&oldid=1283464948"