Netanyahu Aide Admits Meeting Qatari Official During War
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Uriach, admitted in an investigation to meeting with a senior Qatari official, Ali Al-Thawadi, in Europe during the war. Uriach confirmed the meetings, which also included lobbyist Jay Putterlik and a former Mossad official, but had difficulty recalling specifics. The revelations follow a report of Uriach using ChatGPT to develop a strategy for improving Qatar's image. Uriach denied acting on behalf of Qatar in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu advisor Yonatan Uriach admitted meeting a senior Qatari official in Europe during the war.
- Uriach confirmed meetings with Ali Al-Thawadi, an associate of Qatar's Emir, but had memory issues.
- Lobbyist Jay Putterlik and a former Mossad official also attended the meetings, according to testimony.
- Uriach previously used ChatGPT to devise a strategy for improving Qatar's image.
- He denied acting to promote Qatar's interests within Israel.
Yonatan Uriach, a close advisor and confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, admitted during an investigation that he met with Ali Al-Thawadi, an associate of the Emir of Qatar, in Europe during the ongoing war. Lobbyist Jay Putterlik was also present at these meetings. Uriach was confronted by investigators with testimony from a former senior Mossad official, identified only as 'S', who stated that Uriach and Sharulik Einhorn met Al-Thawadi at least twice to present ideas. Al-Thawadi, whom police referred to as the "Israel project leader," met with them in Europe after the October 7th attacks.
During his police interrogation on May 19, 2025, Uriach confirmed the meetings but struggled to recall details, including their exact location. When questioned about presenting ideas, Uriach stated, "I don't remember meetings where we presented." When pressed by the investigator if 'S' was lying, Uriach replied, "No." He further elaborated, "I don't remember what happened in the meeting... I don't know him personally... I need to remember this." He also had difficulty specifying the countries where the meetings took place, suggesting "abroad. I can't tell you if it was London or Paris," and later adding, "Maybe Germany. London, Paris or Germany. That's what I think."
These revelations add another layer to Uriach's connections with Qatari figures during the war, extending beyond correspondence and strategic campaign ideas to actual travel and meetings. This comes just two days after it was revealed that Uriach had used ChatGPT in September 2024 to develop a strategic plan for improving Qatar's image. Investigators confronted him with requests made to ChatGPT for ideas to improve the image of the Qatari Prime Minister and Emir, as well as messages intended for Israeli citizens, global Jewish communities, and US opinion leaders.
Uriach denied acting to promote Qatar in Israel, stating, "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 with the Israeli media, not with Israeli citizens, and not with the Prime Minister." While he acknowledged the ChatGPT requests after their publication, he claimed he did nothing with the information generated.
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