EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the police of holding the two men as “hostages”.
Netanyahu has labeled an investigation into potential ties between his aides and Qatar as a “witch hunt” after providing testimony to the police. Two individuals, an adviser and a former spokesman, were arrested on Monday in connection with alleged payments from Qatar as part of the investigation known as “Qatar-gate”. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Despite not being named as a suspect, Netanyahu criticized the police for holding the two men as “hostages”, stating, “There is no case.”
A Qatari official dismissed the probe as a “smear campaign” against Qatar, which has been instrumental in mediating between Israel and Hamas during the conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu is facing increasing protests in Israel over various policies, including the recent military actions against Hamas before securing the release of all remaining hostages, as well as controversial judicial reforms.
Israel’s police force announced the detention of two suspects in an investigation into connections between the prime minister’s office and Qatar. The suspects were identified as Yonatan Urich, a close adviser to Netanyahu, and Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman in the prime minister’s office, accused of various offenses including contact with a foreign agent, money laundering, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Netanyahu cut short an appearance at his corruption trial to provide recorded testimony to the police investigating the case.
Following questioning, Netanyahu condemned the arrests and the broader investigation in a video posted online, calling it a “political witch hunt”.
The Likud party issued a statement accusing the attorney general’s office and the Shin Bet chief of fabricating the case and attempting to coerce false testimony against the prime minister.
A judge extended the detention of Urich and Feldstein by three days, citing “reasonable suspicions” that required further investigation.
The judge stated that the suspects were suspected of promoting Qatar positively and spreading negative messages about Egypt in Gaza ceasefire talks.
Qatar has been targeted in a smear campaign by those opposing the resolution of the conflict and the return of hostages, according to a Qatari official.
Qatar has been a key supporter of the Palestinian cause and helped broker ceasefire and hostage release deals between Israel and Hamas.
Critics argue that Qatar’s aid to Gaza has helped Hamas remain in power and fund military activities.
Since the conflict began, Qatar, along with the US and Egypt, has worked to facilitate agreements between Israel and Hamas.
The most recent ceasefire and hostage release deal collapsed, leading to renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
La EPA Hamas acusó a Israel de violar el acuerdo original.
Netanyahu afirmó que el “único propósito” de la investigación del Qatar-gate era evitar el despido del director de la agencia de seguridad doméstica Shin Bet, que ha estado participando en la investigación, y “derrocar a un primer ministro de derecha”.
El gobierno despidió a Ronen Bar el 21 de marzo, diciendo que había perdido la confianza en él por no evitar el ataque mortal de Hamas a Israel el 7 de octubre de 2023, que desencadenó la guerra en Gaza.
Sin embargo, el tribunal supremo suspendió el despido pendiente de una audiencia el 8 de abril en respuesta a peticiones de partidos políticos de oposición y una organización no gubernamental, que dijeron que la medida se tomó por razones inapropiadas y constituía un grave conflicto de intereses.
Bar permanecerá en su puesto hasta que el tribunal supremo se pronuncie sobre las peticiones, aunque el tribunal permitió al primer ministro entrevistar a posibles reemplazos en el mientras tanto.
El martes, la oficina de Netanyahu anunció que había revertido una decisión tomada el día anterior de nombrar al ex comandante de la marina Vicealmirante Eli Sharvit como el próximo jefe de Shin Bet.
“El primer ministro agradeció al Vicealmirante Sharvit por su disposición a ser llamado al servicio pero le informó que, después de una mayor consideración, tiene la intención de examinar a otros candidatos”, dijo un comunicado.
Esa decisión se produjo después de que funcionarios de Likud criticaran la participación de Sharvit en las protestas masivas de 2023 contra la reforma judicial.
El senador republicano Lindsey Graham también describió el nombramiento de Sharvit como “problemático” en respuesta a un artículo reciente que criticaba las políticas del presidente Donald Trump sobre el cambio climático.