Lapid testifies in Qatargate affair, tells police Doha’s payments to PM’s aides ‘dangerous to state security’

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid gave testimony today in the so-called “Qatargate” affair at the request of police authorities, his office says in a statement.

“As part of his testimony, Lapid explained how the Prime Minister’s Office is supposed to operate under proper procedure, and why it is improper, dangerous to state security, and contrary to all procedure or law that Netanyahu’s advisers received hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Muslim state that supports terror while simultaneously working in the Prime Minister’s Office,” reads the statement from Lapid, a former prime minister.

The testimony took place at the Tel Aviv offices of Lapid’s Yesh Atid party and lasted about half an hour, according to Ynet.

Lapid was asked about a meeting that took place in Paris with representatives from Qatar and families of the Gaza hostages, as well as about the functioning of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ynet adds.

The Qatargate affair revolves primarily around suspicions that top Netanyahu aide Jonatan Urich and spokesman Eli Feldstein committed multiple offenses tied to their alleged work for a pro-Qatar lobbying firm, including contact with a foreign agent and a series of corrupt actions involving lobbyists and businessmen, while working for the prime minister.