Ex-PM Bennett Demands Shin Bet Remove Netanyahu Aide Amid Qatar Security Concerns
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has asked the Shin Bet chief to remove Yonatan Ourich, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from the Prime Minister's office due to concerns over his work for Qatar. Ourich allegedly continued working for Qatar during the war, receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels, and met with senior Qatari officials. Bennett suspects a severe security offense that could impact Israel's relations with Egypt. Netanyahu claims he was unaware of Ourich's activities.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former PM Bennett demanded the Shin Bet remove Netanyahu's advisor Ourich over alleged Qatar security risks.
- Ourich reportedly continued work for Qatar during the war, receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels.
- Bennett suspects Ourich's activities may have jeopardized the peace agreement with Egypt.
- Ourich met senior Qatari officials nine months after the war began.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he was unaware of Ourich's work for Qatar.
- Bennett called the affair "the most severe betrayal in the country's history."
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called on Shin Bet head David Zini to immediately remove Yonatan Ourich, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from contact with the Prime Minister's office. Bennett's demand follows recent revelations concerning Ourich's work for Qatar, including hundreds of thousands of shekels received for projects that continued during the ongoing war and meetings with a senior official close to the Emir of Qatar. Bennett also urged an investigation into whether Ourich's activities for Qatar constituted a severe security offense, potentially jeopardizing the peace agreement with Egypt.
Bennett described the affair as "the most severe betrayal in the country's history," stating, "From the holy of holies, the Prime Minister's office, and during wartime, the person closest to the Prime Minister worked to whitewash Qatar and improve its image following the massacre it funded." He questioned Netanyahu's awareness of the situation, asking, "What did Netanyahu know in real-time?" and "Why does Netanyahu continue to employ Ourich and defend him?"
Ourich reportedly admitted during questioning that his work for Qatari entities continued after the October 7th attacks, estimating its conclusion in mid-to-late 2024 and stating he received hundreds of thousands of shekels for the project. He also met with Ali al-Dhwadi, a senior Qatari official, in July 2024, nine months into the war, in meetings not related to an official Israeli mission. Furthermore, Ourich used ChatGPT to formulate a strategic plan for improving Qatar's image, including messaging for Israeli citizens and global Jewish communities, which he denied implementing.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, stated in his testimony that he was unaware of Ourich's work for Qatar and denied the possibility of him receiving money from them. Ourich's response to being confronted with Netanyahu's testimony was, "That's between him and me." Bennett's appeal seeks to expand the investigation into the potential implications of Ourich's activities on Israel's security and diplomatic interests, particularly concerning relations with Egypt, and to suspend Ourich's access to the Prime Minister's office until the matter is clarified.
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