Israeli PM Advisers Accused of Leaking Classified Security Information to Qatar to Undermine Egypt

A senior Israeli security source alleges that three advisers to the Prime Minister, Yonatan Orich, Sharulik Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein, transmitted classified information from sensitive security discussions concerning Egypt to Qatar. The information reportedly leaked from within Israel's defense establishment to Qatar and was then circulated back to the media to discredit Cairo and damage its role in hostage negotiation efforts. The false reports included claims of Egyptian troop reinforcements in Sinai and violations of the peace agreement, which raised concerns within Israel's security apparatus about jeopardizing bilateral relations and Egypt's assistance against Hamas.

The alleged leaks occurred during closed-door discussions between March and May 2024, with professional sources noting that the Egyptian issue was artificially inflated to serve a Qatari influence campaign aimed at boosting its involvement in the negotiations. This case, dubbed "Qatargate," involves claims that the advisers relayed messages on behalf of a political entity backed by Qatar. Israeli authorities are currently investigating how sensitive content reached foreign actors.

In response, attorney Lior Epstein, representing Sharulik Einhorn, denied the allegations, stating Einhorn was never a Prime Minister's adviser or employed in his office and called the claims entirely false. Yonatan Orich also rejected the accusations as complete lies published amid an election campaign, asserting he never attended classified discussions or shared information. No comments were received from the Prime Minister's office or Eli Feldstein's legal counsel.