Netanyahu's Advisor Asked ChatGPT How to Improve Qatar's Image During War

By יובל קרני, רועי רובינשטיין

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Hebrew · 11 newsrooms covering

Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly used ChatGPT in September 2024 to seek ways to improve Qatar's image, including crafting messages for Israeli citizens and global Jewish communities. The report, based on interrogation room statements, has led to strong criticism from opposition leaders who accuse Urich of being a "Qatari agent" and betraying Israel during wartime. Urich has not denied the report, stating he did nothing with the information obtained from ChatGPT. Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet publicly commented on the matter.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, asked ChatGPT for advice on improving Qatar's image during the war.
Urich reportedly sought messages for Israeli citizens, global Jewish communities, and US opinion leaders to "whitewash" Qatar.
The report emerged from Urich's statements during an investigation, which he has not fully denied.
Opposition leaders condemned Urich, calling him a "Qatari agent" and accusing him of treason.
Families of hostages and October 7th victims expressed outrage over Urich's alleged actions.
Netanyahu has not yet publicly responded to the report.

Netanyahu's Advisor Asked ChatGPT How to Improve Qatar's Image During War — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, communicated with ChatGPT multiple times in September 2024, during the ongoing war, seeking ideas to improve Qatar's public image. The report, based on Urich's statements in interrogation rooms, was broadcast by Channel 12. Urich had previously claimed to have worked for the Qatari government during the 2022 World Cup, when Netanyahu was in the opposition.

According to the report, investigators presented Urich with a ChatGPT exchange where he wrote, "Requesting additional ideas to improve the image for the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Emir of Qatar, and requesting three central messages for target audiences: Israeli citizens, Jewish communities worldwide, and opinion leaders in the US, which could help whitewash Qatar and improve its image." When confronted, Urich reportedly stated he did not recall the specific query, adding that he asks ChatGPT about many topics. Urich did not deny the report, posting on X that a "piece" of his investigation was published a year ago, and that journalists he spoke with had not found his ChatGPT queries relevant as he "did nothing" with them. He also humorously mentioned asking the AI where to urinate in public restrooms.

The report triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity party, called Urich a "Qatari agent" operating within the Prime Minister's office, conducting psychological warfare against Israelis while soldiers fight and hostages are held by Hamas, which is funded by Qatar. He asserted that a reasonable prime minister would immediately dismiss Urich. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, vowed to remove "Qatar's office in Jerusalem" from power on October 27th and called for an investigation into the Prime Minister's office for alleged treason during wartime.

Einav Tsengauker, mother of hostage Matan, expressed outrage that while Urich was campaigning for Qatar, her son was suffering in Hamas tunnels. Shir Matias, whose parents were murdered on October 7th, questioned why Prime Minister Netanyahu remained silent and continued to support Urich, stating that Urich's task was to whitewash the financiers of her parents' killers, even after the massacre.