Report: US justice department cancels inquiry into US lobbyist suspected of involvement in Qatargate case

The US Department of Justice has canceled a judicial inquiry into pro-Qatari American lobbyist Jay Footlik, an American lobbyist for the Qatari government who is suspected of directly financing Qatargate suspect Jonatan Urich’s alleged activities, i24 News reports.

The inquiry was to take place in the US in coordination with the Israel Police, and was expected to bring investigators and prosecuting attorneys one step closer to deciding whether or not to indict Urich, a close aide of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is suspected of being paid to boost Qatar’s image while in his employ.

According to i24, however, the US Justice Department informed Footlik yesterday that it had cancelled the July 9 inquiry, without offering any explanation as to why.

Israeli officials involved in the investigation have also been left in the dark as to why it was canceled, Hebrew media outlet Ynet reports.

They suspect, however, that it may be due to the personal and political considerations of US President Donald Trump, i24 says, as both Qatar and the US are major players in the efforts to forge a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.