In a bombshell revelation that has sent shockwaves through Israel’s political and security circles, Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) has demanded an immediate and comprehensive investigation into alleged clandestine business ties between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner circle and officials in the Islamist-ruled nation of Qatar—a nation widely condemned for its support of Hamas and extremist groups.
Lapid’s urgent request was sent via an official letter on Wednesday to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, urging her to launch an inquiry into the damning allegations that key advisers to Netanyahu engaged in public relations work to burnish Qatar’s international image, even while holding privileged positions within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
This demand follows a bombshell Channel 12 exposé that revealed Eli Feldstein, a senior member of Netanyahu’s media team—now under house arrest for leaking classified documents to a German newspaper—had secretly provided PR services to Qatari entities. The report suggests that Feldstein’s work, which coincided with his tenure in the PMO, created the dangerous illusion that his messaging on Qatar was coming directly from an official Israeli source.
פניתי לפני זמן קצר ליועצת המשפטית לממשלה ואל פרקליט המדינה וראש השב״כ בעקבות הפרסומים החמורים על קשר עיסקי בין יועצי ראש הממשלה לממשלת קטאר
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) February 12, 2025
על פי הפרסומים, עולה החשד שתוך כדי עבודתם בלשכה הכי רגישה במדינה, יועצי נתניהו, עסקו בשיפור התדמית של קטאר, מדינה תומכת טרור שמתווכת כעת…
But the web of intrigue does not end there. According to the investigation, Feldstein was recruited by an international firm funded by Qatar with the explicit goal of improving the Gulf state’s image in Israel, using its role in hostage negotiations as a cover. This revelation raises the deeply troubling prospect that Qatar—widely recognized as a financial and ideological lifeline to Hamas—was actively influencing narratives within the Israeli government’s own communications apparatus.
A Deepening Scandal: Netanyahu’s Advisors on Qatar’s Payroll?
The latest revelations compound an already explosive controversy first reported by Haaretz in November, which alleged that two other prominent Netanyahu media operatives—Yonatan Urich and Srulik Einhorn—had been employed by Qatari interests in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Urich has since been interrogated by Israeli authorities in connection with the Feldstein affair, while Einhorn, currently residing in Europe, is reportedly evading Israeli law enforcement’s efforts to question him.
Lapid minced no words in his scathing indictment of the scandal, describing it as a brazen betrayal of Israeli national security.
“Following these deeply alarming reports of a business connection between the prime minister’s closest advisors and the Qatari government, we must ask: Were these individuals working to serve Israel’s interests, or were they secretly advancing the agenda of a nation that actively funds Hamas?” Lapid wrote in his letter.“Instead of dedicating their time and efforts to protecting and promoting Israel’s global standing, they apparently found it more lucrative to engage in public relations for a country that finances terror. This is a national disgrace.”
The ties between Netanyahu and Qatar are vast and beyond disturbing. Two of his closest advisors two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close advisers, Jonathan Urich and Yisrael Einhorn worked to promote Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
— Shaiel Ben-Ephraim (@academic_la) February 12, 2025
Now we have discovered another…
Lapid further emphasized the need for swift and decisive legal action. “If these reports are accurate, this is not merely a glaring conflict of interest—it is a direct assault on Israel’s security and integrity at the highest levels of government,” he asserted.
The opposition leader addressed his letter not only to Baharav-Miara but also to State Attorney Amit Eisman and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar, urging them to take immediate action before more damage is done.
‘A Chilling Thought’: Could Netanyahu’s Policy Be Compromised?
Joining Lapid’s call for an investigation was Democrats’ chairman, Yair Golan, who took to social media on Wednesday to express his outrage over the unfolding scandal.
“These shocking suspicions cannot be ignored. Netanyahu’s closest advisers took money from Qatari firms—entities linked to Hamas funding, Al Jazeera propaganda, and extremist Wahhabi networks. This is an unprecedented national scandal,” Golan declared.
Lapid demands Attorney General to probe Netanyahu-Qatar connection - i24NEWS https://t.co/sOtOtjCgfM
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) February 12, 2025
He went even further, suggesting that the ramifications of this scandal could extend into Israel’s most sensitive security policies. “We must ask: Are the crucial decisions regarding the hostage negotiations and post-war Gaza policy being made with clean hands, or are they tainted by foreign influence? The mere possibility is horrifying.”
Golan insisted that every financial transaction, contract, and meeting be thoroughly scrutinized. “This matter must be investigated down to the very last dollar. The Israeli public deserves the truth.”
Public Outcry: Demands for Transparency and Accountability
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel echoed these demands in a formal letter to Shin Bet’s director, urging the intelligence agency to treat this matter as a high-priority national security threat. Given Qatar’s notorious role in financing Hamas and fostering anti-Israel propaganda worldwide, the allegations that Netanyahu’s own inner circle was compromised are seen as nothing short of a betrayal of public trust.
Netanyahu is alleged to have unidirectional financial ties with Qatar.
— Israelis for democracy (@Democrats_IL) February 12, 2025
His innermost circle are being investigated due to their connections with Qatar.
Qatar have been paying off Hamas as part of Netanyahu's strategy, and they are his chosen mediator ever since Oct 7th. pic.twitter.com/iCE0J5VYLR
As pressure mounts and outrage swells, the big question remains: Will Netanyahu’s government be forced to come clean about the full extent of its dealings with Qatar, or will this scandal be swept under the rug? One thing is certain—Israelis will not rest until they have answers.
