Reporter Lived in Home of Qatari Lobbyist Tied to Bribery Probe

Suleiman Maswadeh, a reporter for Channel 13 News based in the U.S., stayed for two weeks last month at the Virginia home of the lobbyist for Qatar, a lobbyist representing Qatar. Maswadeh had testified about a year and a half ago in an investigation into connections with Qatar, in which the lobbyist for Qatar is considered a key figure. Police suspect that the lobbyist for Qatar's hiring of Prime Minister's advisor Eli Feldstein constituted a bribe, and believe the lobbyist for Qatar was involved in giving the bribe and Feldstein in receiving it. The lobbyist for Qatar has never been investigated in the affair due to the U.S. authorities' refusal to allow his questioning in America. However, if he were to come to Israel, he would be required to undergo police questioning. Maswadeh claims he paid rent for the house and that he and the lobbyist for Qatar are friends. He also stated he never published anything concerning the lobbyist for Qatar. However, investigation materials indicate that Maswadeh did publish information provided by Feldstein, at a time when Feldstein was the spokesperson for the lobbyist for Qatar's campaign in Israel. Channel 13 News defended their reporter, stating Maswadeh was hosted for a brief organizational meeting unrelated to his work, and that he erred in his judgment.