Revelations of high-ranking Israeli officials shady connections to Qatar open a new front in the PM and his allies fight to retain power

A major scandal known as "Qatargate" has erupted in Israel, involving alleged Qatari interference in Israeli politics.

At the center of the investigation is Eliezer Feldstein, former chief aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was arrested in November 2024 on charges of leaking classified documents to foreign media and orchestrating leaks from high-level government offices, allegedly with Netanyahu's own approval, under the pretext of combating disinformation.

The investigation revealed Feldstein's connections with Qatari authorities. While serving as an employee of the press office in Netanyahu's administration, Feldstein had for several years combined his government work with private practice, offering political consulting and branding services. One of his clients was Qatar.

Specifically, on behalf of Doha, Feldstein and his team of Israeli consultants developed a reputation protection strategy during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Later, they helped Qatari brands regain their positions in Gulf markets that had been lost during the 2017-2021 diplomatic crisis.

When the most recent war with Hamas began in October 2023, Feldstein used his official position to actively promote the idea of Qatar's "exceptional role" in resolving the Gaza crisis. He was so successful in communicating this position to the media that at one point, Israeli press began emphasizing Qatar's key role in negotiations compared to Egypt and Jordan. In turn, Qatar actively used its Al Jazeera media network to promote positive coverage, strengthening its image in this context.

However, after Feldstein's arrest by Israeli security forces in the autumn of 2024, the contract with Qatar was abruptly terminated. Initial publications about the "Qatar dossier" in Israeli media raised more questions than outrage. Feldstein, along with other figures in the case such as Yonatan Urich and Srulik Einhorn, had been actively involved in international activities, advising not only Qatar but also other Israeli partners in the Middle East and beyond. Had they not used confidential materials from the Prime Minister's Office, their work might have been considered part of Israel's "backchannel diplomacy."

Yet, in the context of the conflict with Hamas, the situation took on a different meaning. It became clear that Qatar's status as a "neutral force" in negotiations with Hamas was not accidental, and this country's role in the process had been significantly exaggerated. For example, Doha's decision not to pressure Hamas's "political office" was presented as diplomatic "flexibility," which also raised questions. Even more suspicious was the downplaying of the scandal involving Hamas military training camps in Syria's Afrin, to whose construction Qatari contractors were allegedly linked.

This series of coincidences strengthened suspicions that those involved in the "Qatar dossier" had actively helped Qatar cover up international scandals using documents from the Prime Minister's Office. All three suspects theoretically had access to such materials. Although Feldstein's lawyers call these accusations "baseless speculation," those involved in the case have so far been unable to explain how Qatar managed to navigate crises with minimal damage to its image.

Adding to the intrigue, Urich and Einhorn are also suspects in a case involving the intimidation of official Shlomo Filber, who allegedly retracted his testimony about Netanyahu's corrupt connections after prolonged psychological pressure from Likud representatives.

The case, initially classified as a "special investigation" under a secrecy order imposed by intelligence services, has been becoming increasingly public. In recent weeks, the escalation has drawn public attention as new developments pointed to major new suspects. This scandal has affected not only Israel's political class but also the business community, significantly expanding the circle of suspects.

What began as an investigation into abuse of authority soon accumulated new details and acquired the colorful name "Qatargate." This name hints at potential consequences for the country's top leadership, including the possible resignation of senior Israeli officials. However, those implicated in the scandal aren't giving up without a fight. According to investigators, Feldstein was involved in transferring confidential documents to foreign media, bypassing military censorship, as well as organizing leaks from high-level government offices. Allegedly, he acted with the permission of Netanyahu himself, who, according to the prosecution, sought to "combat fake news" about Israel's foreign and domestic policies this way.

Over time, the investigation expanded in scope. The number of suspects grew to five, most of whom had close ties to the Prime Minister's Office. It also emerged that Feldstein not only leaked confidential information but also advised Qatari authorities, helping the monarchy use this information for diplomatic purposes, including positioning itself as a key mediator in matters concerning the release of Israeli hostages.

Given Qatar's close ties with Hamas, this new information about the figures involved in the investigation has deeply shocked the Israeli public. It has sparked discussions about the true scale of the threat to Israel's national security. But the investigation didn't end there. A new public figure emerged - Israeli businessman Gil Birger, who works with Persian Gulf states. According to investigators, it was he who paid Feldstein fees for work improving Qatar's image while Feldstein simultaneously worked in the Prime Minister's Office and engaged in political consulting.

However, according to Birger himself, he merely served as a link in a complex lobbying scheme. The main services to Qatar, including developing a reputation improvement strategy, were provided by American political consultant Jay Footlik, who was officially employed by the Qatari government. It was Footlik who initiated Feldstein's involvement in the work. However, facing difficulties with tax laws and organizing money transfers from Qatar to Israel, Footlik asked Birger to temporarily serve as the "accountant" of their small enterprise. The cooperation continued in this format for several months.

Although Birger's testimony is corroborated by witness statements and intelligence materials, the businessman clearly downplayed his involvement in "Qatargate." He failed to mention that his connection with Footlik and the arrested Likud supporters of Netanyahu wasn't limited to working together on several election campaigns - it also included indirect participation in developing shadow trade channels between Israel and Arab monarchies. Moreover, according to some witnesses, Footlik allegedly engaged with Hamas representatives, attempting to secure the release of Israeli hostages by offering generous payoffs to certain field commanders. Such moves were clearly too risky to be undertaken without approval from high-ranking officials. It's unlikely a lobbyist working for Qatar would take such risks without backing from higher-ups.

Among Israeli elites, many are trying to capitalize on the "Feldstein affair," especially since the scandal tarnishes the reputation of the seemingly "unsinkable" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose role in the arrested political operatives' activities remains unclear. One advocate for sweeping changes in the prime minister's office is Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who was tasked with investigating this high-profile case.

Bar's dissatisfaction stems partly from professional pride. For a year and a half, he co-led Israel's official negotiation team with Hamas. However, his work faced constant criticism, especially when talks stalled, and he was nearly ousted multiple times. Upon discovering that the Prime Minister's Office had been conducting its own diplomatic maneuvers - sometimes disregarding national interests and even contradicting the negotiation team's official stance - Bar was deeply disillusioned. He was the first to coin the term "Qatargate," a clear allusion to the scale of damage inflicted on the country. Netanyahu's attempts to swiftly remove Bar under the pretext of incompetence only backfired, fueling suspicions that the PM was trying to obstruct the investigation and bury the scandal. This triggered protests in Bar's support, further escalating political tensions.

Israel's government continues to reel from a wave of resignations and reshuffles. On March 19, far-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir rejoined the cabinet, and on March 21, the ministers reluctantly approved Bar's dismissal - part of Netanyahu's strategy to consolidate power and sideline "uniformed opposition." But this time, the PM's usual tactics misfired, as Bar's departure created new complications.

Bar outlasted his counterparts in the military and intelligence brass, largely due to his key role in Gaza negotiations, where he co-led Israel's delegation. His successes in eliminating high-profile Palestinian militants also bolstered his standing. Yet his personal clash with Netanyahu ultimately led to his resignation. Bar accused the PM of corrupt dealings and jeopardizing national security through leaks of classified documents to the press - dubbed "Qatargate." Netanyahu took this as a personal affront and leveraged all his influence to force Bar out. Against the backdrop of Gaza talks and the abrupt decapitation of counterintelligence, fears grew that this might hand Hamas a tactical advantage.

Despite these challenges, Netanyahu successfully convinced the government and oversight bodies of his initiative's merits. On March 21, plans were announced for imminent reshuffles in Shin Bet, with Bar expected to depart by April 10. However, the government is considering accelerating the process by appointing an external candidate as Shin Bet chief, as Netanyahu and his inner circle distrust Bar's deputies, viewing them as ideologically aligned with the ousted director. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Shin Bet's entire leadership has been tainted by failures in Palestinian operations and a series of espionage scandals.

Amid these changes, the return of Ben-Gvir as national security minister went almost unnoticed. Ben-Gvir, who left Netanyahu's coalition in January 2025, rejoined the government as Gaza operations escalated. To facilitate this, Netanyahu overruled Israel's Attorney General, who had deemed Ben-Gvir's reappointment untenable. Upon his return, Ben-Gvir shelved his criticism of Netanyahu, endorsing the government's current strategy and praising its decision to resume attacks on Hamas. Yet he spared no harsh words for those advocating ceasefire talks - including Bar, whom he branded "democracy's greatest threat."

This political maneuvering - pitting Ben-Gvir against Bar - allowed Netanyahu to deflect scrutiny, redirecting criticism toward Bar. The government showcased unity among the far-right flank, now represented by Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party. With his return, the coalition stabilized, and the six-seat leverage of Ben-Gvir's party enabled unpopular decisions without risking legitimacy.

However, the opposition continues exploiting pro-Bar protests for its own gain. Though officially resigned, Bar may remain in office until Gaza hostilities conclude, citing operational necessity - a move that could allow him to expand his "dossier of failures" and corner the prime minister, potentially marking the beginning of Netanyahu's political end.

The "Qatargate" scandal keeps widening, clearly entangling Netanyahu in a precarious position where he battles not just external threats but an internal power struggle. Despite his decades-long dominance, his career now faces relentless adversaries - both within his party and the opposition - eager to exploit any weakness. This infighting intensifies pressure on his government, where political survival rivals military strategy in urgency.

Meanwhile, the military situation deteriorates. Israel has resumed strikes on Gaza, escalated West Bank operations, and continued aerial attacks in Lebanon and Syria. The repeatedly violated truce with Hamas has collapsed again, edging the region toward all-out war. Recent discussions of relaunching ground operations in Gaza have heightened domestic tension, compounding Netanyahu's challenges. Against this backdrop, political instability and scandals like "Qatargate" only deepen the crisis.

Netanyahu and his allies now navigate a high-stakes balancing act - simultaneously managing wartime operations, internal dissent, and international pressure. As Gaza's protracted war drags on and complexities mount, retaining power grows increasingly arduous. Each move in this multilayered political game could prove decisive for Netanyahu's fate - with every passing day raising the stakes higher.

(RT.com)