Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted to transferring money from American lobbyist Jay Footlik to Eli Feldstein, a former aide to Prime Minister Netanyahu, for tax reasons. This transaction is part of an investigation into connections between the Prime Minister’s Office and Qatar amid state security concerns. A gag order is in effect regarding details of the investigation.
Recent developments in the “Qatar-Gate” affair have revealed that Israeli businessman Gil Birger acknowledged transferring funds to Eli Feldstein, a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This transaction involved money from Jay Footlik, an American lobbyist representing the Qatari government, and was reportedly executed as a tax favor. The exact awareness of Feldstein regarding the origins of these funds remains unspecified.
Birger confirmed in a recording from Reshet Bet that his engagement in the fund transfer was based on a longstanding relationship with Footlik, spanning 25 years. However, he distanced himself from the operational details of the transaction, stating, “I don’t work on this, I don’t work in the country, I have no connection to people in the country.”
The spotlight on this transfer arises amidst an investigation by the Shin Bet security agency regarding suspected links between officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and Qatari interests, amidst concerns for state security. This scrutiny intensified after lawmakers, Gilad Kariv and Naama Lazimi, raised alarms about several advisors to Netanyahu providing services to Qatar, a nation implicated in funding Hamas. A gag order currently restricts public access to additional details concerning the investigation.
In summary, the recent admissions by Gil Birger regarding the transfer of funds from a Qatari lobbyist to a Netanyahu aide underscore significant concerns linked to the “Qatar-Gate” scandal. The investigation by Shin Bet into potential ties between Israeli officials and Qatari sources reflects the ongoing scrutiny over state security and governance during this politically sensitive period. The implications of such financial transactions are yet to unfold, particularly given the existing gag order on the case.
Original Source: www.i24news.tv
