Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Israeli police of making an attempt to “topple” his authorities over what he believes is a “political witch hunt.” In a video assertion launched on Monday, Netanyahu claimed the police had no proof in opposition to the 2 aides who had been arrested.
Netanyahu was summoned on Monday to testify as a part of an ongoing investigation into alleged monetary ties between his office and Qatar. The prime minister claimed that he was questioned for an hour earlier than he demanded to see proof. He mentioned there was nothing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offers a press release on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Israeli Authorities Press Workplace by way of AP)
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Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Urich, the aides Netanyahu named within the video, had been allegedly arrested on Monday in reference to the investigation. In line with experiences, Feldstein – a former member of Netanyahu’s workforce – is suspected of passing messages to journalists on behalf of Qatar whereas working within the prime minister’s workplace.
The messages Feldstein is accused of sending to the media allegedly pertained to Qatar’s position in negotiating the return of Israeli hostages, amongst different issues, Israel HaYom reported.
Nevertheless, the case stays underneath a gag order, so fees in opposition to Feldstein and Urich haven’t been formally launched. The Washington Post reported, citing Israeli media, that Urich and Feldstein are accused of contact with a overseas agent, bribery and fraud.
Individuals protest in opposition to the federal government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and demand the discharge of all hostages kidnapped through the Oct. 7, 2023, terror assault by Hamas, in Jerusalem, March 31, 2025. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
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The Jerusalem Post confirmed on Tuesday that its editor-in-chief, Zivka Klein, was questioned by police in reference to the Qatar probe. Klein has beforehand denied having a reference to Feldstein after an Israeli outlet reported that the previous Netanyahu aide organized a visit to Qatar for the journalist.
Netanyahu says the probe, sometimes called “Qatargate,” is meant to cease him from firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who heads the Israeli equal of the FBI.
Final month, Netanyahu introduced that he would search to oust Bar over alleged “ongoing mistrust.” Nevertheless, some suspect that it’s associated to the Shin Guess’s evaluation of Oct. 7, which “pointed to a coverage led by the federal government, and the one that has headed it, for years, with emphasis on the 12 months previous the bloodbath,” the Times of Israel reported.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shin Guess Director Ronen Bar (Reuters)
Bar slammed Netanyahu’s “expectation of an obligation of non-public loyalty, the aim of which contradicts the general public curiosity, is a basically illegitimate expectation,” in line with the Times of Israel.
Israel’s Excessive Courtroom froze Bar’s elimination, which was set for April 8, however allowed Netanyahu to interview potential replacements. Netanyahu’s workplace introduced on Monday that he had tapped a former Israeli Navy commander, Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit, to exchange Bar.
“Sharvit served within the IDF for 36 years, together with 5 years as commander of the Israel Navy. In that place, he led the drive constructing of the maritime protection of the territorial waters and carried out advanced operations in opposition to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran,” Netanyahu’s workplace tweeted.
Fox Information Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
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