The “Qatar-Gate” scandal deepens as police detain two suspects allegedly linked to Qatari payments to Netanyahu’s office, prompting Netanyahu to claim a “leftist Deep State” is undermining him. The investigation is shrouded in a gag order, impeding information disclosure, while Netanyahu firmly denies any wrongdoing amidst severe accusations from former leaders and continuous scrutiny over financial ties.
The investigation known as “Qatar-Gate” has gained momentum as police arrested two individuals in connection with alleged payments from the Qatari government to staff in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. In a dramatic statement on an official account, Netanyahu compared the situation to political probes faced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that a “leftist Deep State” is misusing the justice system to undermine elected leaders. This post was later removed and then shared from Netanyahu’s personal account.
Details remain scarce due to a 30-day gag order imposed by police, and Netanyahu has not provided further comments regarding the arrests. The inquiry intensified after Israeli businessman Gil Birger acknowledged that he transferred money from a Qatari lobbyist to Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson for Netanyahu.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned Netanyahu’s handling of the situation, suggesting that permitting Qatari influence in Israeli leadership could constitute treason, stating, “If these actions were done knowingly, it’s outright treason.” He alleged that a high-ranking security adviser in Netanyahu’s office was also under the influence of Qatari funding, raising serious national security concerns.
Netanyahu’s office has firmly rejected all allegations, deeming them as “baseless fake news” and characterizing the allegations as a misguided attempt to create a non-existent crime. A significant gag order restricts media from revealing crucial investigation details; however, major Israeli outlets have sought its lifting, with a court hearing scheduled for April 6, at the request of Shin Bet.
Feldstein’s previous security clearance failure has raised questions about his payment methods, with reports suggesting he received funds from the Qatari government through a complicated series involving lobbyist Jay Footlik and businessman Gil Birger. Jonathan Urich, a close associate of Netanyahu, has been implicated in facilitating this arrangement, although his legal representative denies any connection.
The unfolding “Qatar-Gate” investigation has serious implications for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who faces accusations of allowing external influence over his administration. The arrests of key suspects and the allegations of illegal payments from Qatar have sparked a fierce debate over national security. The Prime Minister’s steadfast denial of wrongdoing illustrates the contentious political atmosphere in Israel, mirroring dynamics observed in other democratic nations. As the investigation progresses, it underscores the ongoing struggle between perceived accountability and political maneuvering.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
