Netanyahu Advisor Accused of Receiving Over $250,000 for Qatar-Linked Work
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Yonatan Urich, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reportedly under investigation for allegedly receiving over 1 million shekels for Qatar-linked work in 2024. The payments were allegedly made by Perception Media, run by consultant Israel Einhorn, for activities related to Qatar while Urich served Netanyahu. Urich has acknowledged the work but denies wrongdoing, stating it was private. The investigation explores potential Qatari influence on the Prime Minister's circle, with reports of meetings with Qatari officials and a former Mossad official acting as an intermediary.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yonatan Urich, advisor to PM Netanyahu, allegedly received over 1 million shekels for Qatar-related work in 2024.
- The payments were reportedly made by Perception Media, led by consultant Israel Einhorn.
- Urich claims the work was private and not incompatible with his role as advisor.
- The investigation examines potential Qatari influence within the Prime Minister's inner circle.
- A former senior Mossad official allegedly acted as an intermediary in dealings with Qatar.
- Urich and Einhorn are also involved in a separate controversy concerning the Romanian AUR party.
New revelations have emerged in the "Qatargate" affair, which investigates alleged ties between associates of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari interests. According to reports by Kan, Yonatan Urich, a close communications advisor to Netanyahu, reportedly received over 1 million shekels (approximately $270,000) in 2024 from Perception Media, a company led by political consultant Israel "Srulik" Einhorn. These payments allegedly compensated Urich for work with foreign clients, specifically concerning Qatar-related activities, while he simultaneously served as an external advisor to Netanyahu. The report indicates that no specific conflict of interest agreements were in place, and these private activities did not undergo special security vetting. The total payments documented between January and September 2024 amounted to 1.19 million shekels.
These revelations are part of a broader investigation into Perception Media's activities for Qatar. Einhorn's company was involved in the "Lighthouse" project, an influence campaign launched before the 2022 World Cup to improve Qatar's international image, particularly among Jewish communities and on social media. This campaign reportedly continued into 2024, even after the October 7th attacks and the start of the Gaza war.
Urich has acknowledged working on a Qatar-related project during interrogations, asserting it was private work conducted outside Israel and not incompatible with his official duties. He denies the accusations against him. The ongoing investigation aims to determine if Qatari interests sought to exert influence within the Prime Minister's inner circle. Recent reports also mention meetings in Europe in 2024 between Urich, Einhorn, and Ali al-Thawadi, a close associate of the Emir of Qatar.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has told investigators he was unaware of these meetings or his advisor's commercial dealings with Qatar. The Israeli press also reports that a former senior Mossad official, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly acted as an intermediary in some dealings with Doha. This individual reportedly met with Netanyahu in the summer of 2024, urging him to moderate statements by Israeli ministers targeting Qatar, a meeting not listed on the Prime Minister's official schedule.
Separately, Urich and Einhorn are involved in another controversy regarding the Romanian nationalist party AUR. An investigation by Romanian media revealed they worked on political communication proposals for the party led by George Simion, with some messages allegedly being adopted by the party. AUR denies any formal contract or collaboration.
Mentioned
