QatarGate Scandal: Key Witness Implicates Netanyahu's Advisor in Meetings
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is implicated in the "QatarGate" scandal for allegedly meeting with Qatar's lobbyist Jay Potalik in July 2024, a fact confirmed by witness Israel Einhorn. Einhorn provided evidence of these meetings, including one at the Euro 2024 final in Berlin and another in London discussing "business matters." Urich denies the allegations, calling them "fake news." Meanwhile, a Mossad opinion is expected to deem the security damage in the case "marginal," potentially weakening the prosecution's case, though charges are still anticipated.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yonatan Urich, advisor to PM Netanyahu, allegedly met Qatar lobbyist Jay Potalik in July 2024.
- Witness Israel Einhorn provided evidence confirming Urich's meetings with Potalik.
- Urich also reportedly met with Qatari official Ali Al-Thawadi in London to discuss business.
- Urich claims he advised on branding for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, not related to Israeli affairs.
- A Mossad opinion may classify security damage in the QatarGate case as 'marginal'.
- The Attorney General is expected to indict Urich and Eli Feldstein on security offenses.
New developments in the "QatarGate" scandal reveal that Yonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly met with Qatar's lobbyist Jay Potalik in July 2024, despite Urich's initial denials. Israel Einhorn, a witness described as a fugitive with an arrest warrant, provided investigators with evidence, including Urich's schedule, confirming the meetings. Einhorn testified that Urich first met Potalik at the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
Further details emerged regarding a meeting between Urich and a senior Qatari official, Ali Al-Thawadi, which reportedly occurred several weeks after the Euro 2024 final in London. During this meeting, "business matters" were discussed. Urich responded to these revelations by calling them "more fake news before the election."
Einhorn, who is wanted for allegedly providing secret information and has avoided returning to Israel, also testified about Urich's involvement with Qatar. Urich, when questioned by investigators, stated he worked as a freelance consultant for "Perception" and advised on branding for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, an offer that came from former General Poli Mordechai and two former senior security officials. He claimed the advice was legal and aimed at making the World Cup more friendly to Jewish attendees.
In January, communications between Einhorn and Eli Feldstein, a former spokesperson for Netanyahu accused in a classified document leak case, were revealed. An exchange from May 2024 showed Einhorn informing Feldstein about a meeting between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussing Qatar's role in post-conflict Gaza. Feldstein then forwarded this to Urich, suggesting it was Einhorn's desired outcome and asking for confirmation.
Separately, a forthcoming opinion from the Mossad is expected to classify the security damage in the QatarGate case as "marginal," a conclusion that has raised concerns within the State Prosecutor's Office about weakening the case's evidentiary basis. Law enforcement sources, however, indicated that charges related to contact with a foreign agent are still likely, and some feel the Mossad is protecting its former officials. The Attorney General is reportedly expected to indict Urich and Feldstein on security offenses.
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