Admittance of Fund Transfer by Israeli Businessman Raises Security Concerns

Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted to transferring funds from a Qatari lobbyist to a Netanyahu aide as a tax favor. The transaction’s context, amidst the ongoing “Qatar-Gate” investigation, raises concerns about national security connections between the Prime Minister’s Office and Qatar.

A recent recording has unveiled that Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted to transferring funds from Jay Footlik, an American lobbyist for the Qatari government, to Eli Feldstein, a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Birger stated that the transfer was made as a favor for tax reasons. At the time, Feldstein was serving as Netanyahu’s spokesman, yet it remains unclear if he was aware of the Qatari origin of the funds.

During questioning, Birger confirmed that he had been instructed to facilitate this transfer for tax purposes. He acknowledged his long-standing acquaintance with Footlik, asserting, “I’ve known him for 25 years.” However, he maintained that he is not involved in the operational aspects of such transactions. “I don’t work on this, I don’t work in the country, I have no connection to people in the country,” he clarified.

This revelation is part of the broader “Qatar-Gate” investigation, initiated by the Shin Bet security agency. The inquiry focuses on potential connections between the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and Qatar amidst concerns over state secrets being compromised. This scrutiny escalated following reports from lawmakers Gilad Kariv and Naama Lazimi regarding Netanyahu’s advisors allegedly facilitating services for Qatar. It is notable that the Gulf state is associated with funding groups like Hamas, and a gag order has been imposed on details of the ongoing investigation.

The recent revelations involving Israeli businessman Gil Birger and the transfer of funds linked to the Qatari government have raised significant concerns regarding potential breaches of national security. The implications of these financial transactions, particularly involving aides to Prime Minister Netanyahu, underscore the seriousness of the ongoing “Qatar-Gate” investigation, which continues to unfold under a gag order.

Original Source: www.i24news.tv