Netanyahu Authorized Security Briefings, Claims Aide Urich Amid Qatargate Probe
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich, a suspect in the "Qatargate" probe, claims Netanyahu authorized him to share security information from cabinet meetings. Urich's lawyers argue he was acting as a political advisor, not a public servant, during his consultations with Qatar. Investigators dispute this, citing Urich's receipt of funds from Qatar and a judge's assertion that Urich concealed his dealings from Netanyahu.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Advisor Yonatan Urich claims Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized him to share security information from cabinet meetings.
- Urich's lawyers argue his work for Qatar did not constitute a conflict of interest as he was a political advisor.
- Investigators presented evidence that Urich handled security matters and shared information from closed meetings.
- Urich received tens of thousands of shekels from Qatar while working closely with Netanyahu.
- A judge stated Urich concealed his dealings and payments from Qatar from the Prime Minister.
Attorneys for Yonatan Urich, a key suspect in the "Qatargate" affair and an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are arguing that Urich was not a public servant during his consultations with Qatar. They contend he was acting as Netanyahu's personal political advisor, focusing on political rather than security matters, thus avoiding a conflict of interest. However, investigators have presented evidence suggesting Urich handled security issues and shared information from closed security meetings, according to Kan news.
Recordings of Urich's interrogations, obtained by Kan, indicate suspicions that he transmitted information from the security cabinet immediately after its sessions. Urich told Lahav 433 investigators that the Prime Minister himself authorized him to share security-related information from cabinet meetings. "When the Prime Minister asks me to disseminate certain information, it is not a leak," Urich stated, as quoted by Kan. He maintained he only had access to what the Prime Minister permitted him to share, asserting Netanyahu was the ultimate authority on secrecy.
Investigators, however, reject Urich's defense. They point to the tens of thousands of shekels Urich received from Qatar while closely collaborating with Netanyahu. During a court hearing, Judge Amit Mikhal stated, "He concealed his actions and the fact that he was receiving money to advance Qatar's interests from the Prime Minister for a long time after the war began and until the case was exposed."
