Gag Order Issued on Investigation into Qatari Ties with Prime Minister’s Office

A gag order was issued by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday regarding the ongoing investigation into potential ties between employees of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Qatar. The gag order, requested by the Israel Police’s Unit of International Crime Investigations, will remain in effect for 30 days until April 10.

The police cited concerns that leaks from the investigation could jeopardize its progress. This investigation, which was initiated under the directive of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, follows a series of media reports alleging commercial ties between members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s media team and Qatari state actors.

Allegations of Media Team's Involvement with Qatar

In February, Channel 12 reported that Eli Feldstein, a member of Netanyahu's media team who is currently under house arrest for leaking classified documents to the German newspaper Bild, had provided public relations services to Qatar while working in the PMO. Feldstein was reportedly hired by a Qatar-funded international company to improve Qatar’s image in Israel, particularly in connection with the country’s role in hostage negotiations.

Haaretz also reported that two other members of the PMO’s media team, Yonatan Urich and Srulik Einhorn, had worked with Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Both Urich and Einhorn were involved in the Bild document leak, with Urich being interrogated by the police, and Einhorn, who now resides in Europe, being wanted for questioning.

Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the accusations on Tuesday, dismissing them as part of a “fake scandal campaign.” He criticized the charges, calling them “hot air” that quickly deflates. Netanyahu also announced that he had filed a lawsuit against former IDF chief of staff and defense minister Moshe Ya’alon, who had accused him of accepting Qatari money.

Ya’alon responded by suggesting that the case may offer an opportunity for Netanyahu to explain his connections to Qatar, including accusations of cash payments from Qatar to Hamas.