Netanyahu Aide Asked ChatGPT for PR Plan to 'Whiten' Qatar's Image

Yonatan Urich, an advisor and confidant to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly asked ChatGPT to devise a strategic plan to improve Qatar's image, according to quotes from his interrogation published by Channel 12. The report states that in September 2024, nearly a year after the war began, Urich approached the AI chatbot with requests aimed at promoting a public relations campaign for the country that hosts senior Hamas officials. Among his requests were ideas to enhance the image of Qatar's prime minister and emir, as well as messaging tailored for three target audiences: Israeli citizens, Jewish communities worldwide, and opinion leaders in the United States. In one of the queries, quoted during the investigation, Urich wrote that he was seeking ideas that could help "whiten Qatar and improve its image."

When confronted with these exchanges during his interrogation, Urich claimed he did not recall his questions to the chatbot and denied acting on behalf of Qatar in Israel. "I did not act and did not do anything for Qatar in Israel, not with the Israeli media, not with Israeli citizens, nor with the Prime Minister," he told investigators.

The revelations have sparked sharp political reactions. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, called for Urich's immediate dismissal from the Prime Minister's Office, stating, "A Qatari agent has been and continues to operate in the Prime Minister's Office, employing psychological terror against Israeli citizens. A reasonable and competent Prime Minister would announce Urich's immediate dismissal tonight, condemn his actions, and permanently remove him from all forums. This rot is costing us lives."

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina party, also attacked Netanyahu, calling it "the most severe betrayal case in the country's history, when from within the holy of holies, the Prime Minister's Office, during a war, actions were taken to whitewash our most dangerous enemy, Qatar."