The Media Line: Israeli Businessman Admits to Transferring Money From Qatari Lobbyist to Netanyahu Aide 

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Israeli Businessman Admits to Transferring Money From Qatari Lobbyist to Netanyahu Aide 

By The Media Line Staff 

An Israeli businessman has acknowledged transferring funds from a lobbyist working for the Qatari government to Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The payments, which were reportedly made to navigate tax issues, were revealed in a recording aired Wednesday by Israeli public broadcaster Kan. 

Businessman Gil Birger stated in the recording that US lobbyist Jay Footlik, who represents Qatar, requested that he transfer money to Feldstein over several months. “He asked me to help due to VAT issues,” Birger said. While Birger claimed he was unaware that Feldstein was working in the Prime Minister’s Office, Channel 13 previously reported that Feldstein was not receiving a direct salary from Netanyahu’s office due to a security clearance delay. 

Feldstein’s lawyers denied that he ever worked for Qatar, insisting that he was paid for “strategic and communications services” provided to the Prime Minister’s Office. They maintained that if Birger had connections to Qatar, Feldstein had no knowledge of them. 

The controversy is part of a broader investigation dubbed “Qatargate,” which examines whether top Netanyahu aides, including Feldstein, received funds from Qatar while the Gulf state mediated hostage negotiations with Hamas. The Shin Bet security agency and Lahav 433, Israel’s major crimes unit, are leading the probe. 

Netanyahu’s recent efforts to remove Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar have fueled speculation that the move is linked to the investigation. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.