US reportedly cancels probe into pro-Qatari lobbyist and Qatargate suspect Footlik
Israeli officials involved in investigation said left in dark over why it was nixed, believe it may relate to ongoing efforts with Doha to reach hostage deal
The US Department of Justice has canceled a judicial inquiry into pro-Qatari American lobbyist Jay Footlik, who is suspected of directly financing Qatargate suspect Jonatan Urich’s alleged activities, Hebrew media reported Thursday.
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 News, however, the US Justice Department informed Footlik on Thursday that it had canceled 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 reported.
They suspect, however, that it may be due to the personal and political considerations of US President Donald Trump, i24 said, as both Qatar and the US are major players in the efforts to forge a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.
Urich, together with Netanyahu’s former military affairs spokesperson Eli Feldstein, is suspected of multiple offenses tied to their alleged work for a pro-Qatar lobbying firm. They are suspected of contact with a foreign agent and breach of trust, due to what prosecutors believe was their work to improve Doha’s image as a hostage negotiation mediator while simultaneously working as advisers to Netanyahu.
The investigation has broadened, and several former senior security officials are suspected of involvement in helping transfer money from Doha to Urich and Feldstein.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara indicated last month that she would soon file an indictment against Urich.
I24 also reported that Baharav-Miara will request that Serbia extradite Yisrael Einhorn, a former Netanyahu aide who is also involved in the affair due to his public relations firm Perception, which he ran alongside Urich.
The two spearheaded a pro-Qatari campaign to cast the Gulf state in a positive light ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Doha, according to Hebrew media reports at the time.
The Times of Israel Community.