Netanyahu aides accused of leaking classified intelligence to Qatar
The newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Sunday that three advisors to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—Yonatan Urich, Israel Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein—allegedly provided Doha with classified information regarding Israeli concerns over Egypt while purportedly receiving payments from Qatar. The report cites an unnamed Israeli security official. According to the claim, Qatari officials then leaked this information to Israeli journalists to undermine Egypt’s standing in Israeli public opinion, thereby facilitating a more central role for Qatar in hostage negotiations with Hamas. Egypt and Qatar have served as the primary mediators in talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attack. The leaked information reportedly originated from meetings held between March and May 2024, involving Netanyahu, the National Security Council, the IDF, and the Shin Bet, where discussions focused on Israel-Egypt relations and potential violations of the 1979 peace treaty by Cairo, including the deployment of troops in the Sinai Peninsula. Urich, Einhorn, and Feldstein are key suspects in the 'Qatar-gate' investigation, which concerns alleged contact with foreign agents and corruption during their tenure at the Prime Minister's Office. While investigators previously suspected the trio of receiving information from Qatar to leak to the press, this new claim suggests a two-way flow of intelligence. Urich and Feldstein have been detained and questioned. Einhorn, who resides in Serbia, was recently questioned in Belgrade by Israeli investigators after refusing to return to Israel due to fears of arrest. Israel Hayom reports that defence officials feared these leaks threatened the peace treaty with Egypt and reduced Cairo's willingness to assist in hostage negotiations. A second security official who attended the classified meetings reportedly corroborated the account. Lawyers for Einhorn dismissed the report as 'false, baseless, and completely rejected.' Urich stated the claim is 'a complete lie spread by political rivals in the middle of an election season,' adding that he never attended a classified meeting or leaked any information. Feldstein and the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment. The report drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, labelled the allegations 'treason against the State of Israel.' Gadi Eisenkot of the National Unity party called for a state commission of inquiry, a move echoed by opposition leader Yair Lapid. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Qatar as a 'poisonous enemy.' Israel's next election is scheduled for 27 October.