Likud Denies Qatar Payments to Spokesperson Amid Election Warnings
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Likud spokesperson Guy Levi denied allegations that fellow spokesperson Yonatan Uriach received money from Qatar, stating Uriach worked for a company led by Aluf Poli Mordechai. Levi also warned that Ofer Winter's candidacy could cost the right-wing bloc crucial seats in the upcoming election. He further criticized the prosecution of Prime Minister Netanyahu, citing testimony from former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud spokesperson Guy Levi denied claims that Yonatan Uriach received money from Qatar.
- Levi stated Uriach worked for a company led by Aluf Poli Mordechai, deputy head of the Hostages' Staff.
- Levi warned Ofer Winter's candidacy could cost the right-wing bloc two to three seats.
- Levi expressed concern about the opposition forming a government with Arab parties.
- Levi criticized the prosecution of Prime Minister Netanyahu based on Mandelblit's testimony.
Likud spokesperson Guy Levi has vehemently denied allegations that Yonatan Uriach, a Likud spokesperson, received money from a Qatari company. Levi dismissed the claims as a recycled and false spin from a year and a half ago, stating that Uriach did not receive "10 agorot" (a negligible amount) from Qatar. Instead, Levi clarified that Uriach's work was for a company headed by Aluf Poli Mordechai, who serves as deputy head of the Hostages' Staff. This public relations project abroad continued long after the World Cup, and the funds did not originate from Qatar.
Levi also voiced concerns about the potential impact of Ofer Winter's candidacy on the right-wing bloc's ability to form a government. He argued that Winter's campaign, which polls suggest may not pass the electoral threshold, risks costing the right-wing bloc two to three seats. Levi emphasized the tight election race, highlighting that the opposition could only form a government by relying on Arab parties, which he characterized as seeking a Palestinian state and a withdrawal from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and potentially undermining Israel's Jewish identity.
Regarding the formation of the next government, Levi stated the Likud's intention to establish a national government based on the current coalition's principles, including opposition to a Palestinian state and remaining within perimeter areas. He stressed that the public's vote would ultimately decide the outcome, urging voters to turn out due to the perceived danger of the current situation.
Furthermore, Levi commented on the testimony of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in the Netanyahu trial. He suggested that Mandelblit's testimony reinforced his own criticisms of the investigation and prosecution's conduct, citing instances where Mandelblit allegedly did not approve investigations or was misled. Levi described the proceedings as a persecution of the Prime Minister, alleging that defense teams were denied crucial materials during the trial.