Netanyahu’s aides accused of leaking classified intel to Qatar for anti-Egypt push
Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom reported that three senior advisors to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jonatan Urich, Yisrael Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein, allegedly leaked classified information about Israeli concerns regarding Egypt to Qatar. The leaks, according to the report, were part of a strategy by Qatar to undermine Egypt's position in hostage negotiations with Hamas. The information was obtained during classified discussions in March-May 2024 involving Netanyahu, the National Security Council, the IDF, and Shin Bet, focusing on Egypt's compliance with the 1979 peace agreement. The report claims that the leaks led to articles in the Israeli press questioning Egypt's adherence to the agreement. All three advisors are under investigation in the 'Qatargate' scandal, which includes allegations of corruption and contact with foreign agents. Urich and Feldstein have been arrested, while Einhorn, currently in Serbia, was recently questioned by Israeli authorities. Defense officials expressed concern that the leaks could jeopardize the peace agreement with Egypt and hinder efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Einhorn's lawyer has dismissed the report as false.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s senior aides are facing serious allegations of leaking classified intelligence to Qatar as part of an effort to undermine Egypt’s role in negotiations with Hamas over the release of Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. According to reports from Israel Hayom, three advisors, Jonatan Urich, Yisrael Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein, are suspected of passing sensitive information to Qatari officials while on the Gulf nation’s payroll. This information was later shared with Israeli journalists, aiming to shift public perception away from Egypt and toward Qatar as the preferred mediator in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The alleged leaks originated from confidential discussions held between March and May 2024, involving Netanyahu, the National Security Council, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the Shin Bet. These meetings focused on assessing Israel-Egypt relations and whether Egypt had violated the 1979 peace agreement by sending troops into the Sinai Peninsula. Reports of these supposed violations began appearing in Israeli media in late 2024 and early 2025, raising questions about the credibility of such claims and their potential impact on diplomatic efforts. The accusations add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing Qatargate investigation, which centers on allegations that Urich, Einhorn, and Feldstein engaged in pro-Qatar lobbying activities while serving as Netanyahu’s advisors. Investigators have long suspected that the trio received information from Qatar and disseminated it to Israeli media. However, recent developments suggest that the exchange of information was mutual, with Israeli officials potentially sharing classified data with Qatari representatives. Urich and Feldstein have both been arrested and questioned in connection with the case. Einhorn, currently residing in Serbia, has avoided returning to Israel, fearing arrest. He was recently interviewed by Israeli investigators in Belgrade after refusing to come back to the country. Both Urich and Feldstein have denied the allegations, with Urich calling the reports a fabrication by political rivals seeking to undermine Netanyahu ahead of the October 27 election. Defense officials expressed concern that the leaks could jeopardize the peace agreement with Egypt and diminish Cairo’s willingness to assist in freeing the remaining hostages held by Hamas. A security official who attended the classified meetings confirmed the details of the leaks, noting that the timing of the disclosures aligned with the sequence of events described in the report. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from Netanyahu’s political opponents, who accuse him of endangering national security by allowing his aides to engage in activities that benefit Qatar at the expense of Israel’s strategic relationships. Left-wing politician Yair Golan condemned the actions as “treason,” arguing that the aides’ financial ties to Qatar compromised Israel’s position in the region. Meanwhile, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is expected to soon decide whether to charge Urich and Feldstein with national security offenses related to their alleged contact with a foreign agent. A former senior Mossad official is also under consideration for similar charges, pending a formal review. The Shin Bet and Mossad have yet to finalize their assessments, but Justice Ministry officials have indicated that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with legal action. The situation has also raised concerns about potential foreign interference in Israel’s upcoming election. The head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, has warned about possible influence operations by Russia, China, and Iran, though the extent of such interference remains unclear. With polls indicating that Netanyahu’s coalition faces challenges, speculation continues about how external actors might seek to sway public opinion or disrupt the electoral process. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Israel’s diplomatic relations and internal politics remain uncertain. The allegations against Netanyahu’s aides highlight the complex interplay between national security, foreign policy, and domestic power struggles, setting the stage for further scrutiny and debate in the coming months.
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