Ex-Mossad Agent Details Role in Qatar-Gate Influence Operation

Former Mossad official David Saig, 73, has revealed details of his alleged involvement in an influence operation concerning Qatar, dubbed "Qatar-Gate." Saig, who served over 20 years in the Mossad, including in a senior role responsible for covert foreign relations, was arrested in April 2025. His arrest followed an investigation by the Shin Bet and police, who uncovered his activities through the mobile phone of Prime Minister's spokesperson Eli Feldstein. Initially, Saig denied knowing Feldstein, but under pressure, he admitted to being connected through Gil Birger, who allegedly asked him to brief journalists, including Nir Dvori and Suliman Maswadeh. Feldstein, according to Saig, acted as a liaison, coordinating calls and participating in conference calls with the journalists.

Saig claimed he provided information to journalists about the situation in the Philadelphi Corridor, suggesting Egyptian officers took bribes and that smuggling occurred through tunnels. He also discussed with Maswadeh that Egypt, not Qatar, held stronger leverage due to their shared border. Saig stated these messages, which were pro-Qatar and anti-Egypt, were his personal views but coincidentally appeared in Qatar's campaign. Feldstein allegedly helped refine these messages, with Saig describing him as a "refiner or corrector."

Further information revealed by Saig included a message from Feldstein about a "family receiving a message from the kidnapped son," referring to a video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin received by his parents via Qatar. Saig learned about this video during a meeting in Qatar in Passover 2024 with Gili Cohen and Yonatan Lis, where Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson mentioned Qatar's pressure on Hamas to transfer the tape. Saig also briefed journalists Dvori and Maswadeh, asking them not to publish the information, deeming it "intimate information that could harm the hostages," and told Feldstein it was "classified information."

Saig described Qatar as "buddy-buddy" with Hamas, viewing them as patrons of the Muslim Brotherhood. In May 2024, Saig and Feldstein allegedly worked together to insert pro-Qatari, fabricated quotes into the Israeli media, aiming to create a negative impression of Egypt. Saig admitted to providing sources to Feldstein to discredit Egypt, including a report on the Egyptian army's tourism company profiting from Gazans fleeing the Strip. Feldstein allegedly provided Saig with drafted messages to pass to Maswadeh, posing as information from the security establishment, and requested phone briefings. Saig stated his motivation was "I work for them," when asked about shaping public opinion.

Saig's attorney, Uri Ben Asher, stated that his client is a law-abiding citizen and that the investigation material is confidential.