Netanyahu Advisor Admits Continued Qatar PR Work Post-Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, admitted to continuing work on a campaign to improve Qatar's image after the October 7th Hamas attack and the start of the Gaza war. Interrogation transcripts show this collaboration extended into 2024, contradicting earlier statements. Urich claims he did not inform Netanyahu of these projects, stating he doesn't discuss personal business with the Prime Minister. The investigation, dubbed "Qatargate," continues, with Urich also facing separate charges for information leaks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu advisor Yonatan Urich admits continuing Qatar PR work after Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
- Urich's collaboration with Qatar reportedly extended into mid-to-late 2024.
- He claims he did not inform Prime Minister Netanyahu about these side projects.
- Urich received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his work promoting Qatar's image.
- The "Qatargate" investigation into alleged ties between Netanyahu's circle and Qatar continues.
- Urich faces separate charges related to information leaks, with an indictment decision pending.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, has admitted to continuing his work on a campaign to improve Qatar's international image even after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Police interrogation transcripts, published by Channel 12, indicate Urich's collaboration with Qatari entities extended into mid-to-late 2024, contradicting earlier explanations that his involvement was limited to the period before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Urich previously acknowledged participation in the Lighthouse project, aimed at shaping Qatar's positive image before the 2022 World Cup, during which Netanyahu was in opposition. However, the new details reveal the work persisted after Netanyahu returned to the premiership and continued throughout the ongoing conflict. Urich reportedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars for these projects, though the exact terms and payments are still under investigation.
When questioned by investigators, Urich stated he did not inform Netanyahu about his side projects, explaining he does not discuss personal or external professional matters with the Prime Minister. This admission is significant given Qatar's complex role during the war, with Israeli leadership frequently accusing Doha of supporting Hamas despite its mediation efforts for hostage releases. Urich maintained he saw no conflict of interest, asserting that promoting Qatar's image did not contradict his work for the Prime Minister and that his wartime information projects were solely for foreign audiences, denying any effort to influence Israeli media.
Investigators are also examining Urich's past queries to ChatGPT, which reportedly included seeking ways to improve perceptions of Qatar, even among Israelis. Urich dismissed these queries as unrelated to his professional duties, stating he used the chatbot for general discussions. The probe also involves Eli Feldstein, linked to disseminating messages within Israel's information space. Urich, not a government employee but a political advisor to the Likud leader, had access to sensitive information and accompanied Netanyahu to secure military sites, raising questions about potential conflicts between his private interests and national security.
While Urich's collaboration with Qatar does not prove he shared classified information, he is separately facing charges related to information leaks, with a decision on indictment expected in May 2026. The "Qatargate" investigation into alleged ties between Netanyahu's circle and Qatari interests continues, with Urich's legal defense reportedly funded by the Likud party. Netanyahu has not dismissed Urich despite the ongoing investigation.
