Qatar Gate Indictments Delayed Past Elections Amid Mossad Chief's Input

The legal advisor to the government, Gali Baharav-Miara, and the State Prosecutor's Office had intended to file indictments in the "Qatar Gate" case before the upcoming elections. However, current timelines make this impossible, i24NEWS reported on Sunday. Initial decisions were made to indict Prime Minister's advisors Yonatan Urikh and Eli Flashtain, as well as close advisor Shmulik Einhorn.

The proceedings have been delayed due to significant input from the former head of the Mossad, Dadi Barnea. Shortly before his retirement, Barnea expressed opposition to the case in a private conversation that was subsequently leaked. This prompted the prosecution to seek a new opinion from the institution, which did not support the initial stance of the legal advisor and the prosecution. This has led to repeated delays.

Baharav-Miara and the prosecution were prepared to file indictments even a week before the elections. However, without an exceptional schedule to expedite the process, the indictments are unlikely to be filed before the elections, according to the report.

In June, i24NEWS analyst Avishay Greenzayg revealed that the prosecution was planning broad indictments in the "Qatar Gate" case, which would also include a senior former Mossad official and retired Major General Boli Mordechai. The final decision by the legal advisor and attorney general was pending, in part, on the completion of a security opinion from the Mossad.