Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has ordered an investigation into potential ties between staff from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office and Qatari officials. This comes as allegations arise involving media manipulation to favor Qatar. The inquiry is met with criticism from Netanyahu’s Likud party and demands for Baharav-Miara’s dismissal, revealing underlying political tensions.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has initiated an investigation regarding potential connections between several staff members from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office and Qatari authorities. This decision followed a meeting with representatives from the Israel Police and the internal intelligence service, Shabak, where information was shared relating to the ties between these personnel and officials associated with Qatar, as reported by Haaretz.
The inquiry will be conducted jointly by the police and the Shabak, focusing on allegations that Eli Feldstein, one of Netanyahu’s spokesmen, was involved in disseminating pro-Qatar narratives to Israeli media outlets. Additionally, it was disclosed by Haaretz that two prominent associates of the prime minister worked on enhancing Qatar’s image prior to the 2022 World Cup hosted by the Gulf nation.
Qatar has established itself as a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, providing political asylum to several leaders of the Palestinian groups, leading many Israeli officials to view it as a sponsor of terrorism and an adversary. In response to this investigation, Netanyahu’s Likud party denounced the inquiry, implying it serves the interests of the investigators rather than the public.
Some coalition ministers, particularly from right-leaning factions, have called for the removal of Attorney General Baharav-Miara, accusing her of exceeding her authority and being influenced by political motives against Netanyahu. The situation continues to elicit strong reactions within the current Israeli government.
The investigation initiated by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara into Netanyahu’s office staff highlights significant concerns regarding the influence of Qatar within Israeli politics. The calls for her dismissal from some coalition members reflect tensions between the government and legal oversight, as this inquiry unfolds amidst allegations of media manipulation and political asylum dealings.
Original Source: aurora-israel.co.il
