Jerusalem, 9 April 2025: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is once again in the midst of controversies. This new scandal, known as ‘Qatargate’, is shaking his office. It is alleged that Netanyahu’s close associates took a huge amount of money from Qatar to enhance the image of this Gulf country in Israel. Even more serious is that this money was allegedly used to strengthen Hamas in Gaza, which attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. Questions are being raised across the country—did Netanyahu betray his own country?

‘Qatargate’ exposed: A story of bribery and conspiracy

Last week, Israeli police arrested two of Netanyahu’s close associates—media consultant Jonathan Urich and former spokesperson Eli Feldstein—on 31 March. They face serious charges like bribery, contact with foreign agents, money laundering and treason. The investigation claimed that both of them took money from pro-Qatar lobbyists to improve Qatar’s image in Israel. For this, the payment was made through an American lobbyist who was promoting Qatar’s interests.

Israeli journalist Ben Caspit wrote, “Shin Bet and the police are investigating whether Qatar paid for Netanyahu’s spokesperson Feldstein’s salary during the war. This is the same person who had access to sensitive military information.” There is another serious charge against Feldstein – he leaked confidential documents to the German newspaper ‘Bild’, which posed a threat to Israel’s security.

Qatar’s money, Hamas’ weapon?

Qatar has been sending billions of dollars to Gaza in the name of humanitarian aid for a long time. This amount reaches Gaza through Israel, where the government monitors that this money does not fall into the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas. But ‘Qatargate’ has brought forth a new claim. Investigative agencies say Qatar paid Israeli intermediaries, including people close to Netanyahu, to funnel additional aid into Gaza. Part of the money went to Hamas, which used it to prepare for the October 7 attack.

“It’s terrifying to think that our own money is being used to strengthen the enemy we are fighting,” says Yonah Lеви, a protester in Tel Aviv, aptly summarizing the outrage that is spreading across Israel.

Questions pelted on Netanyahu

Netanyahu has not yet been named a suspect in the case, but police have asked him to testify. Street protests against him have intensified. “If Netanyahu knew about it, it’s treason. And if he didn’t, he doesn’t deserve to be here,” protester Michal Cohen said at a rally in Jerusalem.

Qatar’s image in Israel is already bad. It is considered a supporter of Hamas, which has been attacking Israel from Gaza. In such a situation, the question is bound to arise that why were Netanyahu’s allies taking money from Qatar? A Shin Bet report claimed that Qatar also paid some Israeli journalists who wrote articles in its favor.

Political crisis and legal entanglement

This scandal has brought new crisis for Netanyahu, who is already embroiled in many corruption cases. His party Likud has termed it a ‘political conspiracy’. Netanyahu said in a statement, “This is a false campaign, which aims to defame me and my government.” But opposition leader Yair Golan does not agree with this. He said, “Netanyahu sold security for money. This is the same money that reached Hamas and wreaked havoc on us on October 7.”

If Netanyahu’s direct involvement is proved in the investigation, he can even be sentenced to jail. Legal experts say that this case is related to national security, due to which the punishment can be more severe.

What next?

‘Qatargate’ has created a stir in Israeli politics. Netanyahu is already facing criticism for the Gaza war and the hostage crisis. Now this scandal can increase his troubles. Professor Dan Perry of Tel Aviv University says, “This is not just a story of corruption. This is a conspiracy that endangered Israel’s security.”

At present, the investigation is going on and the public is waiting with bated breath. Will this scandal be the end of Netanyahu’s long political career, or will he escape these allegations once again? This question can give a new direction to Israel’s future.