Israeli Official Struggles to Explain Qatari Election Funding
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Yaakov Bardugo was interviewed by Maya Rachlin on Kan News regarding allegations of Qatari election bribery. Bardugo expressed concern over foreign interference in Israeli elections, citing a request for investigation into Qatar's alleged funding of campaigns. He struggled to explain the difference between Qatari funds received by various individuals, including Yonatan Urikh, who is under investigation. Bardugo also referenced a past Israeli military operation in Qatar, which was later deemed a failure.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaakov Bardugo expressed concern over foreign state involvement in Israeli election integrity.
- Head of Central Elections Committee Noam Solberg requested Shin Bet investigate Qatari election funding.
- Bardugo struggled to explain the legality of Qatari funds received by Yonatan Urikh.
- Urikh reportedly received 1.2 million shekels from foreign countries.
- Bardugo mentioned a past Israeli military operation in Qatar, later deemed a failure.
Yaakov Bardugo, interviewed by Maya Rachlin on Kan News, faced difficulties explaining who is permitted to receive money from Qatar amidst allegations of election bribery. Bardugo acknowledged a "heavy concern of foreign state involvement in the integrity of Israel's elections," referencing a request by Head of the Central Elections Committee Noam Solberg to Shin Bet head David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign entities, including Qatar, funding campaigns to influence election results.
When questioned why Qatar had not been declared an enemy state to prevent financial transfers to Israeli citizens, Bardugo stated it was a matter requiring serious consideration. He recalled that "Netanyahu was the only one who bombed Qatar," despite facing accusations from various political and other sources.
Rachlin confronted Bardugo with his lawyer Amit Haddad's court confirmation that Yonatan Urikh received funds from Qatar. Bardugo claimed ignorance of the specifics, stating he had not seen the details and was sure Haddad provided explanations, but he was unaware of them. He emphasized the dramatic nature of a foreign state using "entire systems to change election results" and "conquer the bastion of Israeli democracy, the Knesset," highlighting the source of the funds as the primary concern.
Bardugo struggled to differentiate between funds transferred from Qatar to Arab citizens and those received by Urikh, who is currently under investigation in the "Qatargate" affair. Bardugo asserted that a foreign state was transferring money to influence operations in Israel. However, when pressed about Urikh conducting an influence campaign in Israel, Bardugo deflected, reiterating that "Netanyahu is the only one who attacked Qatar."
It was recalled that the Chief of Staff and other senior security officials had reservations about the attack on Qatar mentioned by Bardugo. This operation was later deemed a failure by the security establishment, failing to achieve the required results and even causing a delay in negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a hostage deal and ceasefire at the time. Urikh reportedly received 1.2 million shekels from foreign countries.
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