Netanyahu aide to remain in custody until Monday after Supreme Court rejects appeal

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal against a decision to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide, Jonatan Urich, in custody over his alleged involvement in the Qatargate scandal.

Judge Yechiel Kasher states in his ruling, “I am satisfied that there was no miscarriage of justice in the district court’s decision. The appeal is denied.”

The Qatargate affair has revolved primarily around suspicions that two Netanyahu aides — Urich and Eli Feldstein — had 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, all while working for the prime minister.

Urich was re-arrested on Wednesday night following developments in the case, but a Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court judge ordered that he be released, while questioning the legality of the detention.

The state appealed that decision to the Lod-Central District Court, which ruled in its favor and led to an ultimately unsuccessful Supreme Court appeal by Urich’s lawyers.