Ex-Mossad Agent Details Qatar-Linked Influence Campaign
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Former Mossad agent David Saig has detailed his role in an alleged Qatari influence operation, according to Shin Bet interrogation transcripts. Saig admitted to briefing journalists with pro-Qatar and anti-Egypt talking points, coordinated by Prime Minister's spokesperson Eli Feldstein and Gil Birger. Saig claimed he was unaware of Feldstein's official position and believed he was liaising with security officials. The campaign aimed to shape public opinion during sensitive hostage negotiations and the ongoing war.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Mossad agent David Saig detailed his role in a Qatari influence campaign during Shin Bet interrogations.
- Saig briefed journalists with pro-Qatar and anti-Egypt messages coordinated by PM spokesperson Eli Feldstein.
- Feldstein allegedly edited messages and arranged briefings, with Saig unaware of his official role.
- The campaign aimed to pressure Egypt and shape public opinion during sensitive negotiations.
- Saig described Qatar as a supporter of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Saig admitted to working for Feldstein and Birger in shaping the narrative.
Former Mossad agent David Saig, 73, has revealed details of his involvement in a covert influence campaign allegedly orchestrated by Qatar, according to his Shin Bet interrogation transcripts. Saig, who served over 20 years in the Mossad, including in a unit responsible for secret relations with countries lacking diplomatic ties and liaising with Qatar's intelligence agency, was arrested in April 2025. His activities came to light after the Shin Bet and police accessed communications from Prime Minister's spokesperson Eli Feldstein's phone.
During his interrogation, Saig initially denied knowing Feldstein. However, under pressure, he admitted that Gil Birger had instructed him to brief journalists, including Nir Dvori and Suleiman Maswadeh, with Qatari talking points and anti-Egyptian narratives. Saig claimed he was led to believe he was being connected to senior security officials, unaware of Feldstein's role as the Prime Minister's spokesperson. Feldstein, Saig stated, acted as an editor or refiner of messages, correcting drafts and coordinating conference calls.
Saig recounted briefing Dvori about alleged Egyptian corruption and smuggling activities along the Philadelphi Corridor, framing himself as a former security official. He also shared his personal view with Maswadeh that Egypt held more leverage over Hamas than Qatar due to their shared border. These sentiments, Saig admitted, aligned with Qatar's campaign messaging. Feldstein also sent Saig messages to disseminate, including one about a kidnapped person's family receiving a message, referring to a video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin sent by Hamas via Qatar.
Saig learned about the Hersh Goldberg-Polin video during a meeting in Qatar in Passover 2024 with Gil Cohen and Yonatan Lis, and the spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry. He claimed he asked Dvori and Maswadeh not to publish the information due to its sensitive nature, and told Feldstein it was confidential. Saig described Qatar as a "buddy" country, a patron of the Muslim Brotherhood, and therefore Hamas's supporter, aiming to keep Hamas active.
Further interrogation revealed Saig's role in disseminating anti-Egyptian information provided by Feldstein, including a report about an Egyptian military-affiliated tourism company profiting from Gazans fleeing the Strip. Feldstein also instructed Saig to discuss Egypt's role in arming Hamas. When questioned about the motive behind creating negative sentiment towards Egypt during sensitive negotiations, Saig responded, "I don't know, maybe there was a desire to pressure the Egyptians." He admitted, "I work for them," when asked if facts mattered more than the messages Birger and Feldstein wanted him to convey.
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