A widening political scandal involving alleged secret ties to Qatar has ensnared two close aides of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, as Israeli police continue their investigation into what is now being dubbed “Qatargate.”

Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, both former senior advisers to the prime minister, were arrested yesterday morning for questioning and subsequently taken into custody. On Tuesday, the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court extended their remand until Thursday, as authorities probe suspected illicit dealings with Qatari-linked entities during their tenure in the Prime Minister’s Office.

During a court hearing Tuesday morning, police revealed that Urich is suspected of conveying messages to Israeli journalists under the guise that they came from top Israeli political and security officials. However, according to a police investigator, the content was in fact dictated by a source with financial and business ties to Qatar.

The allegations raise serious concerns over the infiltration of foreign influence into Israel’s highest levels of government communication. Feldstein, already facing charges in a separate national security case involving the leak of classified IDF documents, is alleged to have worked for an international PR firm under Qatari contract while still serving as Netanyahu’s spokesperson. The firm reportedly paid Israeli media outlets to run content favorable to Qatar, using Feldstein’s access and credibility to bolster its efforts.

Further, police suspect that Urich participated in a complex web of business intermediaries who funneled payments from Doha in a manner designed to obscure their origin.

Details emerging from court proceedings also indicate that both Urich and Netanyahu were questioned yesterday about whether Urich had leaked sensitive cabinet information. While Prime Minister Netanyahu was not arrested, he was asked to testify and, at this stage, is not a suspect.

In a related development, a court-imposed gag order over the investigation is set to be lifted tomorrow, following a request from attorney Amit Hadad, who is representing both Urich and the prime minister.

Law enforcement sources said they initially sought to extend the aides’ detention by nine days, indicating the seriousness and scope of the joint police and Shin Bet investigation.

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