Netanyahu Responds to “Qatar-Gate” Arrests, Denies Wrongdoing and Attacks “Deep State”

The Qatar-Gate investigation has led to the arrest of two suspects related to alleged Qatari payments to staff in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement likening these allegations to political actions against Donald Trump. Former Prime Minister Bennett has accused Netanyahu of allowing Qatari influence, while Netanyahu’s office denies any wrongdoing amidst an ongoing police gag order.

The ongoing investigation known as “Qatar-Gate” has intensified following the detention of two suspects linked to suspected financial connections between the Qatari government and staff members in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. In response, Netanyahu’s office posted a statement comparing these allegations to political probes faced by former President Donald Trump, declaring, “In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will.” This statement was later removed and reposted from Netanyahu’s personal account.

Despite initial arrests, police have refrained from providing further details due to a 30-day gag order, and Netanyahu has not publicly addressed the detentions. The scandal escalated after businessman Gil Birger disclosed the transfer of funds from a Qatari lobbyist to Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson in Netanyahu’s office. This admission prompted former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to accuse Netanyahu of allowing Qatari influence in his administration, remarking, “The Prime Minister’s Office is Israel’s most sensitive security hub; if these actions were done knowingly, it’s outright treason.”

Bennett further asserted that a senior adviser in Netanyahu’s administration was secretly compensated by Qatar, highlighting the troubling notion that Qatar, a prominent supporter of Hamas, funded an Israeli Prime Minister’s security spokesman during a time of conflict. In contrast, Netanyahu’s office has categorically denied these accusations, labeling them as “baseless fake news.”

Continuing repercussions from the scandal are reflected in the ongoing gag order, which prevents revealing critical investigation details. Leading media organizations in Israel have filed petitions to lift this order, with a court hearing scheduled for April 6. Reports circulated indicating that Feldstein, who was unable to receive direct payment due to failing a security clearance test, was allegedly paid through a series of intermediary transactions involving Qatari-linked funds.

The investigation has also implicated Jonathan Urich, a close associate of Netanyahu, in arranging the financial dealings, although Urich’s lawyer has denied his involvement. The Attorney General’s Office has engaged Shin Bet and police in a thorough inquiry regarding the potential connections between Qatar and Netanyahu’s administration.

The investigation into the Qatar-Gate affair raises serious questions regarding financial motivations and foreign influence within Israeli political leadership. Despite adamant denials from Netanyahu’s office, allegations involving financial ties between Qatar and staff members could have significant implications. The matter remains under investigation, and the legal proceedings ahead may reveal more concerning details about these connections.

Original Source: www.ynetnews.com