Netanyahu aides accused of leaking Qatar classified intel for anti-Egypt push

By Lazar Berman

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9 August 2026, 11:14 am

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Eli Feldstein (left,) a former spokesman in the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Kan screenshot, used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law); Likud spokesman Jonatan Urich speaks at a Central Elections Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, April 3, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Three advisors to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — Jonatan Urich, Yisrael Einhorn, and Eli Feldstein — leaked Qatar classified information about Israeli concerns regarding Egypt while they were allegedly on Doha’s payroll, Israel Hayom reports, citing an Israeli security official.

According to the report, the Qataris leaked the information they got from the trio to Israeli reporters as part of a campaign aimed at downgrading Cairo in the eyes of the Israeli public, creating room for Doha to take the lead role in hostage negotiations with Hamas.

The leaks came from meetings in March-May 2024 involving Netanyahu, the National Security Council, the IDF, and the Shin Bet, which examined Israel-Egypt ties and whether Egypt was violating the peace agreement by dispatching forces into the Sinai.

Articles on ostensible Egyptian violations appeared in the Israeli press in 2024 and early 2025.

Einhorn, Urich and Feldstein are all key suspects in the “Qatargate” investigation, which primarily revolves around suspicions that they committed multiple offenses tied to their alleged pro-Qatar lobbying, including contact with a foreign agent and a series of corrupt actions involving lobbyists and businessmen, while working for the prime minister.

Aides Yisrael Einhorn (left) and Jonatan Urich (center) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2019. (Courtesy/ File)

Investigators of Qatargate believed that the three received information from Qatar and fed it to Israeli reporters, but the new revelations show that the flow of information went in both directions.

Urich and Feldstein have both been arrested and questioned for their suspected role in the case. Einhorn, who resides in Serbia, was recently questioned by Israeli investigators in Belgrade after he refused to come to Israel for fear of arrest upon arrival.

According to Israel Hayom, defense officials feared that the leaks could put the peace agreement with Egypt at risk and could reduce Cairo’s willingness to help free the hostages held by Hamas.

Einhorn and Urich denied the reports, while Feldstein and Netanyahu’s office declined to respond.