Netanyahu Advisor Admits Continued Work for Qatar Post-Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Yonatan Uriach, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, admitted in an investigation that he continued working for Qatari entities until mid-to-late 2024, months after the October 7th attacks. He stated he received hundreds of thousands of shekels for promoting Qatar's image and denied reporting this work to Netanyahu. Uriach defended his actions as ethical and professional, despite Israel's criticism of Qatar.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisor Yonatan Uriach admitted continuing work for Qatar until mid-2024.
- Uriach received hundreds of thousands of shekels for promoting Qatar's image.
- He stated he did not report his work for Qatar to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Uriach estimated his work concluded in mid-to-late 2024, after the October 7th attacks.
- He defended his actions as ethical and professional, despite Israeli criticism of Qatar.
Yonatan Uriach, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, admitted during an investigation that he continued working with Qatari entities for months after the October 7th Hamas attacks. Uriach estimated that his work, aimed at promoting Qatar's image, concluded in mid-to-late 2024, well into the ongoing war.
During questioning by Lahav 433 investigators as part of the "Qatargate" affair, Uriach stated he received hundreds of thousands of shekels for the project. When asked if Netanyahu was aware of his work for Qatar, Uriach responded, "I do not report to the Prime Minister about things I do."
Uriach initially claimed not to remember when his work for Qatar ended, suggesting it was within a two-month range around the October 7th massacre. However, under pressure from investigators, he specified his estimate of mid-to-late 2024. He stated he stopped working with Qatar after being informed by Sharulik Einhorn that the project was finished.
A key issue raised was whether Netanyahu knew Uriach was being paid by Qatar, especially given Israel's criticism of the country for its role in the war and its ties to Hamas. Uriach asserted that he did not report his external activities to the Prime Minister, drawing a distinction between his work abroad and his role in Israel. He also stated that neither side was aware of his work for the other.
Uriach was confronted with Netanyahu's testimony, in which the Prime Minister denied knowing about his advisor's work for Qatar and expressed disbelief that Uriach was receiving payment. Uriach dismissed claims that his actions were unethical or unprofessional, citing his involvement with respected figures like reservist general Poli Mordechai, who was involved in the hostage headquarters, as justification for not seeing a conflict.
