Court lifts gag order on Qatargate scandal, but puts 24-hour hold on move

Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter

People protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
People protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The Rishon Letzion Magistrate’s Court rules that the gag order over the so-called Qatar-gate investigation be lifted, while leveling criticism at the police for failing to enforce it.

The gag order will, however, remain in place for at least one more day to allow the police to file an appeal against the decision, Hebrew media reports.

“The issue is not being enforced. Yesterday, the investigation became public when the suspects were arrested; there is no reason to leave it in place, the i24 news outlet quotes the judge as saying.

The request to cancel the gag order was made by attorney Amit Hadad, who is representing Jonatan Urich, one of the central suspects in the case and a close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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