Netanyahu Details Limited Knowledge of Associates in Qatar Gategate Investigation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided an open testimony on July 24, 2026, regarding the "Qatar Gategate" affair, following the March 31, 2025 arrests of his close advisor Yonatan Orich and former spokesman Eli Feldstein. The investigation centers on suspicions that hundreds of thousands of dollars were transferred from the Qatari government to Netanyahu's associates during wartime. Netanyahu sought to minimize his direct working relationships with the involved parties and claimed ignorance of their private dealings.

During questioning, Netanyahu stated he did not recall knowing Feldstein well and only realized after the scandal that he had interviewed him years earlier for a Likud spokesperson role. He described Feldstein as having limited direct interaction with him, mainly working under Yossi Shalev, and denied any personal or classified information exchange. Netanyahu acknowledged Feldstein's presence in the Prime Minister's Office but denied a direct working relationship.

Regarding Yonatan Orich, Netanyahu said he knew him for years but was unaware of Orich's other activities beyond his role as Likud spokesperson. He admitted Orich had "other occupations" but did not know their nature. Netanyahu also denied knowledge of Orich's involvement with Qatar but stated there was nothing improper about it, as Qatar is not considered an enemy state.

On Israel Einhorn, a strategic advisor who moved to Serbia and refuses to cooperate with Israeli investigators, Netanyahu recalled his work in Likud campaigns but could not specify his exact role or whether he was employed personally or through a company. Netanyahu said he did not know details about Einhorn's business or consulting activities and had not been in contact with him for over a year, likely due to the ongoing investigation.

The testimony revealed Netanyahu's limited awareness of the business dealings and connections among his associates, including Orich, Feldstein, and Einhorn. The police have attempted multiple times to schedule a brief follow-up interrogation with Netanyahu concerning other related cases, which may clarify the roles of former Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman and Yonatan Orich.