Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that he had provided testimony in an investigation concerning alleged payments from Qatar to one of his aides. He criticized the inquiry as politically driven and condemned the detention of two of his aides.
“As soon as I was requested to testify, I expressed my willingness to do so immediately,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, as reported by AFP.
“I recognized that this was a political investigation, but I did not fully grasp the extent of its political nature. They are effectively holding Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein hostage… There is no case; there is absolutely nothing—just a political witch hunt, nothing more,” he continued.
Israeli media have identified the detained individuals as Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, both of whom are aides to Netanyahu and are allegedly connected to the so-called “Qatargate,” which involves accusations of payments from Qatar to one of Netanyahu’s aides.
These arrests have intensified political tensions in Israel, where the government is seeking to remove both the domestic security chief and the attorney general while attempting to exert greater influence over judicial appointments.
This situation has sparked renewed protests across the nation, coinciding with the government’s escalated military operations in the Gaza Strip this month.
Feldstein had previously been arrested late last year and placed under house arrest on charges of leaking a classified document related to hostage negotiations in Gaza to sway media coverage of Netanyahu.
Reports on Monday indicated that Netanyahu provided testimony regarding the Qatargate case, although he was characterized as a knowledgeable witness rather than a suspect.
Netanyahu is also currently facing trial on corruption charges, which he denies.
“Following an investigation by the National Unit for International Investigations (YAHBAL)… two suspects were arrested today for questioning,” the police stated, adding that the case is subject to a court-imposed gag order.
