Jerusalem
\nIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office is facing renewed scrutiny after police arrested two close associates accused of receiving payments from Qatar to promote its image in Israel, intensifying concerns over foreign influence at the highest levels of government.
\nThe scandal, dubbed \u201cQatargate\u201d by local media, erupted this week with the arrests of Netanyahu\u2019s longtime media adviser Jonatan Urich and former spokesman Eli Feldstein.
\nBoth men are suspected of running a covert public-relations campaign to improve Qatar\u2019s standing in Israel while it served as a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel.
\nPolice allege the campaign included spreading negative narratives about Egypt\u2014another mediator in the conflict\u2014and funnelling payments through an American lobbyist.
\nThe suspects face potential charges including bribery, money laundering, fraud, breach of trust, and illegal contact with a foreign agent.
\nNetanyahu, who has provided a statement to police but is not a suspect in the case, called the investigation politically motivated and accused authorities of holding his advisers \u201chostage\u201d\u2014a remark criticised by many given that dozens of Israelis remain in Hamas captivity.
\nThe scandal adds to mounting political pressure on Netanyahu, who is already standing trial for corruption and facing widespread protests over his handling of the Gaza war and internal institutional tensions.
\nHis recent attempt to dismiss the head of the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, which is investigating the alleged Qatar links, has drawn particular criticism.
\nThe nearly 18-month conflict in Gaza resumed after the collapse of a Qatar-brokered ceasefire last month. Qatar, often viewed with suspicion in Israel due to its ties with Hamas and hosting of the group\u2019s leaders, has denied backing the militants and insists its aid to Gaza was coordinated with Israel.
\nAnalysts say Qatar may have sought to reshape its image in Israel to protect its role as a mediator and maintain favour with US allies. A court document reportedly links the media campaign to efforts to influence Israeli public opinion and US policy.
\nOne journalist, Jerusalem Post editor Zvika Klein, was questioned after visiting Qatar and writing favourable pieces. He has been barred from media commentary pending the investigation.
\nFeldstein is also facing trial in a separate case involving the leak of classified material. His and Urich\u2019s detentions were extended by a judge earlier this week.
\nCritics argue the scandal underscores vulnerabilities in Israel\u2019s political system and raises questions about foreign governments\u2019 ability to access and shape internal policy.
\n\u201cThe abuse of public office in this case, if proven, is deeply troubling,\u201d said Tomer Naor from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel.
\nThe probe has also complicated Netanyahu\u2019s relationship with security institutions. The dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was frozen by a court amid concerns that it was an attempt to disrupt the investigation. Netanyahu has denied the claim but continues to pursue Bar\u2019s replacement.
\nFor now, the \u201cQatargate\u201d affair further tarnishes the embattled premier\u2019s record and deepens public discontent as the Gaza war drags on and domestic tensions mount.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office is facing renewed scrutiny after police arrested two close associates accused of receiving payments from Qatar to promote its image in Israel, intensifying concerns over foreign influence at the highest levels of government. The scandal, dubbed \u201cQatargate\u201d by local media, erupted this week with the arrests of Netanyahu\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":407950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-470805","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n