Netanyahu Aide Urich Accused of Conflict of Interest by Former Advisor Hefetz
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Nir Hefetz, a former advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleged that Netanyahu's close aide Yonatan Urich was not subjected to conflict of interest arrangements despite suspicions of working for Qatar. Hefetz, who had a similar agreement, stated Netanyahu was aware of the need for one for Urich. Recent reports also suggest Urich leaked information from the security cabinet, allegedly with Netanyahu's approval. A court previously overturned Urich's suspension from the Prime Minister's office.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Nir Hefetz claims PM Netanyahu's aide Yonatan Urich lacked conflict of interest checks.
- Urich is suspected of advising Qatar against Egypt, a security-related conflict.
- Hefetz, a state witness in the Netanyahu case, is suing the state for damages.
- Urich allegedly leaked security information from cabinet meetings, with Netanyahu's approval.
- A court overturned Urich's suspension from the Prime Minister's office in January.
Nir Hefetz, former spokesperson and advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed on Friday that Netanyahu's close advisor, Yonatan Urich, did not undergo conflict of interest checks despite Netanyahu's knowledge that such arrangements were necessary. Hefetz stated in an interview with Kan News that Urich allegedly worked for Qatar and advised them against Egypt, which, given his involvement in security matters, should have necessitated a conflict of interest disclosure and arrangement. Hefetz suggested Urich could have approached Ronen Bar, then head of the Shin Bet, for guidance on proper disclosure procedures.
Hefetz, who served as an external consultant to the Netanyahu family from 2015 to 2018, explained that his own conflict of interest agreement required him to report his client list quarterly to the Prime Minister's legal advisor and Deputy State Attorney Dina Zilber. He noted that the Attorney General had sent a letter about this agreement to both him and the Prime Minister, indicating Netanyahu was aware of the need for similar arrangements for Urich.
Responding to claims that Urich is a Likud employee and campaign operative, Hefetz countered that he himself held a similar position, earning an estimated NIS 32,000 monthly from the Likud, yet still had a conflict of interest agreement. Hefetz speculated that Netanyahu avoids removing Urich from his office to prevent the issue from dominating headlines.
Looking ahead, Hefetz expressed doubt that Netanyahu would be the next prime minister, predicting a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, even if short-lived. Hefetz, who described himself as a state witness in the Netanyahu case, asserted his testimony is "pure truth." He is currently suing the state for millions in the Haifa District Court, alleging unlawful and severe damages.
Recent reports from Kan News in December 2025 revealed police correspondence showing Eli Feldstein updating Urich on pro-Qatar messages. Urich has denied involvement in the "Qatargate" affair. In mid-January, a Rishon LeZion court overturned Urich's suspension from the Prime Minister's office, with Judge Menachem Mizrahi stating that suspicions against him were based on an evolving account from Feldstein inconsistent with other evidence. Last week, Kan News exposed transcripts from Urich's interrogation, suggesting he leaked information from the Political-Security Cabinet, allegedly on Netanyahu's orders. Both Netanyahu's testimony and Urich's interrogation indicated the Prime Minister authorized Urich to release security information from cabinet discussions, reinforcing investigators' and a judge's belief that Urich's role was more than that of an external political advisor.
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