Netanyahu and Aides Give Conflicting Accounts in the Bild and Qatar Cases

A sharp contradiction has emerged between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close adviser Yonatan Urich over how spokespersons in the Prime Minister’s Office operated in the Bild affair and the Qatar-related case. The key dispute is who issued instructions, and whether Eli Feldstein’s actions were carried out with Netanyahu’s knowledge and approval.

In his testimony, Netanyahu tried to distance himself from any direct professional connection to the Qatar matter and said he did not work routinely with Feldstein. He stated, "He cannot say that he worked with me personally, that is simply not true." Asked about Feldstein’s role, Netanyahu added, "You know what it means to be someone who was nothing?"

Urich gave the opposite picture. He testified that there is a direct and binding line between the office spokespeople and the prime minister himself, saying, "Spokespeople work directly with the prime minister, every message requires his approval." Prosecutors see that testimony as highly significant because it suggests Netanyahu was actively involved in approving content leaving his office.

The contradiction led the prosecution to ask for the court hearing on whether Urich can return to work in the office to be moved up. Law enforcement officials believe Netanyahu’s denial of personal work with Feldstein helps map the chain of responsibility, but could also support Feldstein’s claim that he acted without the prime minister’s knowledge. In light of the case’s complexity, Netanyahu has been listed as a prosecution witness.