From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
At court for his trial, Netanyahu calls Qatargate affair ‘one massive bluff’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu derides the Qatargate affair and the investigation into his aides over their connections to Doha as “one massive bluff,” after being asked about the scandal by reporters before the beginning of his testimony in his criminal trial at the Tel Aviv District Court.
“How are you not ashamed?” he adds, addressing the assembled reporters, apparently referencing their coverage of the ongoing police and Shin Bet investigation.
Netanyahu has repeatedly attacked the police and other law enforcement agencies over the probe. In a Monday video, he called it a “political witch hunt” designed to stop him from firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
The investigation began before he announced he was planning to remove Bar.
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