Netanyahu Advisor Accused of Plotting Qatar Image Makeover in Israel

Yonatan Urikh, an advisor and confidant to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly devised a plan to improve Qatar's image in Israel, according to quotes from a police investigation revealed on Monday. The scheme, conceived a year into the ongoing war, involved Urikh communicating with ChatGPT to formulate a "strategic plan for changing Qatar's global image."

Urikh's requests to the AI chatbot, as revealed in the investigation, included seeking ideas on how to "whiten" Qatar's reputation and formulating key messages for specific target audiences. These audiences were identified as Israeli citizens, global Jewish communities, and opinion leaders in the United States, with the stated goal of helping to "whiten Qatar and improve its image."

During his interrogation, Urikh denied any involvement in a pro-Qatari campaign or using his office for such purposes. When confronted with his chat logs, he stated, "I don't remember what I asked the chat. I ask it about many topics. I did not act and did nothing for Qatar in Israel, not in the Israeli media, not towards Israeli citizens, nor towards the Prime Minister."

The investigation reportedly suggests Urikh entered the Prime Minister's Office complex over 150 times while allegedly working for Qatari interests. He is also suspected of relaying messages from Qatar that were presented as coming from a diplomatic source.