Understanding Israel’s "Qatargate" Scandal

In early 2025, a scandal known as “Qatargate” emerged in Israel, involving allegations that close aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promoted Qatari interests in Israeli media in exchange for payment. Two of Netanyahu’s media advisors, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, were arrested in connection with the investigation.

According to police suspicions, a representative of Qatar paid Urich and Feldstein to encourage favorable coverage of the emirate, particularly its role in mediating between Israel and Hamas. This allegedly came at the expense of highlighting Egypt’s involvement in such diplomacy. Investigators believe that Urich sent pro-Qatar talking points as official statements from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The payments to Feldstein were reportedly funneled through ThirdCircle, a U.S.-based lobbying firm representing Qatari interests, via an Israeli intermediary. ThirdCircle was founded by Jay Footlik, a former Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton and liaison to the American Jewish community.

The Qatari government has denied the allegations.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was questioned by police, though he was not named a suspect. He described the investigation as a “political manhunt” aimed at removing him from office and referred to the arrested aides as “hostages,” a remark that drew criticism due to the ongoing captivity of Israelis held by Hamas.

The investigation later broadened to include members of the Israeli press. Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, was questioned as a potential suspect and briefly placed under house arrest. Authorities stated that during his initial testimony, suspicion arose that Klein may have played a role in facilitating Qatari interests. He had previously visited Qatar at the invitation of its government and published articles expressing a favorable view of the country. The Attorney General and State Prosecutor emphasized that there was no intent to infringe on press freedom or prevent media investigation into the affair.

The scandal has resonated deeply with Israelis due to Qatar’s role as a long-time funder of Hamas and host to its leadership. Qatar has also been a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. This dual role has led to suspicion and criticism within Israel, with many viewing Qatar as an adversary.

Following the developments, Netanyahu announced plans to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, which initiated the probe. He cited a loss of confidence and claimed the agency had failed to prevent the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The Supreme Court temporarily halted Bar’s dismissal. Meanwhile, critics accused Netanyahu of attempting to obstruct the investigation.

The Qatargate investigation unfolded amid ongoing public dissatisfaction with the government over its management of the Gaza war, efforts to secure the release of hostages, and proposed judicial reforms. Some Israelis voiced alarm over the alleged influence of a foreign government linked to Hamas operating within Netanyahu’s inner circle. Netanyahu, who had previously approved Qatari financial transfers to Gaza as part of a policy to preserve calm, described Qatar as a “complex country” and “not an enemy country.”

Despite the scandal and continued protests, Netanyahu’s coalition remained in power. The investigation is ongoing.

On May 12, 2025, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court has ordered Urich to be placed under house arrest for 10 days, rejecting police requests for a more extended period. Judge Menachem Mizrahi expressed skepticism that Urich would ever face indictment, directly countering a remark from Urich’s attorney suggesting charges could eventually be filed. Despite the judge’s view, the decision to indict ultimately rests with the State Attorney’s Office.

A Haaretz exposé published on the same day reveals that aides to Netanyahu, including Israel Einhorn and Yonatan Urich, received indirectly from Qatar for a campaign to improve its global image ahead of the 2022 World Cup. The funds were funneled through a British firm linked to a former Mossad agent because Perception, Einhorn’s company, couldn’t contract directly with Qatar. The campaign, known as “Project Lighthouse,” is now under criminal investigation in Israel, with Urich and others under house arrest. Despite denials from Perception, restored messages show links to Qatari entities even during the war in Gaza in 2024.

Later that month, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was unlawful, citing a conflict of interest due to Netanyahu’s ties to the Qatargate scandal. The court ruled that Bar’s dismissal violated legal procedures and underscored the Shin Bet chief’s apolitical role. Despite Bar’s resignation, the ruling aimed to uphold rule-of-law principles and bar Netanyahu from future involvement in appointments.

Jay Footlik, a longtime American-Jewish lobbyist for Qatar, is set to be questioned in June 2025 by Israeli police in the U.S. over his role in the “Qatargate” scandal, which alleges bribery, contact with a foreign agent, and breach of trust involving close aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Footlik is accused of paying Netanyahu’s spokesperson Eli Feldstein a salary while Feldstein was still in government service, promoting Qatari interests during wartime, and coordinating meetings with Israel’s chief rabbis to support Qatar. Footlik’s business associate Gil Birger is also implicated, having allegedly funneled payments to Feldstein. 

Sources: Matti Friedman, Qatargate Roils a War-Weary Israel, Free Press, (April 1, 2025).
Ben Sales, “‘Qatar-gate’ and the complicated web of major scandals rocking Israel, explained,” JTA, (April 2, 2025).
Patrick Kingsley, Johnatan Reiss, Ronen Bergman, “What Is ‘Qatargate,’ the Latest Furor Embroiling Israel?” New York Times, (April 3, 2025).
Lazar Berman, Sam Sokol, and Jeremy Sharon, “Netanyahu says Qatar not an enemy state, denies aide has access to classified intel,” Times of Israel, (April 3, 2025).
Tia Goldenberg, “What to Know About Israel’s ‘Qatargate’ Scandal,” Time, (April 3, 2025).
Ben Sales, “‘Qatargate’ and the web of huge scandals rocking Israel, explained,” Forward, (April 3, 2025).
Ido David Cohen, Chen Maanit, “Explained: Does the Qatargate Investigation Put Israeli Freedom of the Press in Danger?” Haaretz, (April 6, 2025).
Bar Peleg, “Qatar Paid Netanyahu's Aides for World Cup Campaign via U.K. Firm,” Haaretz, (May 12, 2025).
Jeremy Sharon, “Urich released to 10 days’ house arrest, judge expresses doubt he will be indicted,” Times of Israel, (May 12, 2025).
Chen Maanit, “Israel’s Top Court: Shin Bet Chief's Firing ‘Unlawful,’ Netanyahu Has Conflict of Interest,” Haaretz, (May 22, 2025).
Netael Bandel, “American Qatar lobbyist to be questioned over ‘Qatargate’ scandal,” Ynet, (May 29, 2025).