Netanyahu Details Limited Knowledge of Associates in Qatar Gategate Investigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided an open testimony on July 24, 2026, regarding the "Qatar Gategate" affair, which involves suspicions of financial transfers from the Qatari government to his close advisors during the 2025 war. The investigation centers on Netanyahu's associates Jonathan Urich, Eli Feldstein, and Israel Einhorn, who were arrested on March 31, 2025. Netanyahu sought to minimize his direct working relationships with these individuals and claimed ignorance of their private business dealings.

During the testimony, Netanyahu acknowledged knowing Urich for years but stated he was unaware of Urich's other occupations beyond his role as a Likud spokesperson. He also said he did not know about Urich's work with Qatar and asserted that Qatar is not an enemy state. Regarding Feldstein, Netanyahu initially claimed not to remember him but later admitted Feldstein had been interviewed for a Likud spokesperson position and worked in the propaganda apparatus. Netanyahu denied having direct work interactions with Feldstein, despite evidence showing Feldstein close to the Prime Minister's office.

On Israel Einhorn, a strategic advisor who moved to Serbia and refuses to cooperate with Israeli investigators, Netanyahu said he remembered Einhorn's involvement in Likud campaigns but was unsure of his exact role or business activities. Netanyahu confirmed that Einhorn and Urich were friends but did not track their professional connections. The police suspect that hundreds of thousands of dollars were transferred from Qatar to these advisors during the war period.

The testimony was part of a broader police inquiry into the ties between Qatar and Netanyahu's circle amid ongoing legal proceedings. Since the testimony, police have attempted multiple times to schedule further questioning with Netanyahu concerning other related cases involving his former chief of staff Tzachi Braverman and Jonathan Urich. The investigation aims to clarify the extent of Netanyahu's knowledge and involvement in the alleged financial and political activities linked to Qatar.

Summary: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified in the Qatar Gategate investigation, denying close work ties or knowledge of private dealings of his arrested advisors, Jonathan Urich, Eli Feldstein, and Israel Einhorn, amid suspicions of Qatari funds transferred during the 2025 war.

Points: - Netanyahu testified to limited direct work with advisors Urich, Feldstein, and Einhorn amid Qatar Gategate probe. - He denied knowledge of Urich's other occupations and Qatar-related activities. - Netanyahu claimed no direct work interface with Feldstein despite evidence of his proximity. - Einhorn’s exact role and business dealings remain unclear; he refuses to cooperate with investigators. - Police suspect hundreds of thousands of dollars were transferred from Qatar to Netanyahu’s associates during the war. - Authorities seek further questioning of Netanyahu on related cases involving his former staff.

topic: security israel_relevant: true entities: {"people":["Benjamin Netanyahu","Jonathan Urich","Eli Feldstein","Israel Einhorn","Tzachi Braverman","Menachem Mizrahi"],"organizations":["Likud","Israeli Police"],"places":["Qatar","Israel","Serbia"]}