Netanyahu Advisor Accused of Using AI for Qatar Image Campaign

Investigative materials in the "Qatargate" affair reveal that Yonatan Urich, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly used ChatGPT to construct a public relations campaign aimed at improving Qatar's image. According to reports from the interrogation room, Urich, who is suspected of entering the Kirya military headquarters over 150 times while working for the Gulf state, attempted to formulate a strategic plan to rehabilitate the reputation of the nation hosting senior Hamas officials. Urich initially denied any involvement in a pro-Qatari campaign originating from the Prime Minister's office during his police interrogation. He maintained his previous statement that his work for the Qatari government was solely related to the World Cup and occurred when Netanyahu was in opposition. However, investigators confronted him with printouts of his communications with the AI in September 2024, amidst the ongoing war. The materials presented showed Urich asking the chatbot to devise a "global public opinion change strategy" concerning Qatar. In one explicit request, Urich stated he needed ideas for the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Emir to "whiten Qatar and improve its image." He also specified key target audiences for the messages: Israeli citizens, Jewish communities worldwide, and opinion leaders in the United States. Faced with the digital evidence, Urich reportedly maintained his position, stating he did not recall the specific conversation and explaining he used the software for various topics. He emphasized that he never acted to benefit Qatar in Israel on a media, civilian, or direct level with the Prime Minister. These revelations have sparked significant political controversy. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, criticized Urich's continued employment in the Prime Minister's office, calling him a "Qatari agent who waged psychological terror against Israeli citizens" and demanding his immediate dismissal. Naftali Bennett, chairman of the HaBayit HaYehudi party, also reacted strongly, labeling the incident "the most severe betrayal in the country's history" and highlighting that individuals within the Prime Minister's office allegedly worked during wartime to "whiten" those who fund Hamas. Urich responded to the publication, stating that the information had been with many journalists for some time, but none found it relevant to report on his ChatGPT queries since he did nothing with them, as he claims the investigation proved. He suggested the report was intended to distract from Gadi Eisenkot's inability to form a government without Arab parties, Yair Golan, Lieberman, and Bennett. Regarding Bennett, Urich stated he would be a defense witness in his trial due to Bennett's past actions favoring Qatar.