Israel's Netanyahu says testified in Qatargate probe, slams 'political witch hunt'

AFP , Tuesday 1 Apr 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he had testified in a probe involving alleged payments from Qatar to some of his aides, slamming the investigation as politically motivated and denouncing the arrest of two of his aides.

A portrait of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hangs on the sidewalk during an anti-government protest. AFP

"As soon as I was asked to testify, I said that I was free and that I wanted to testify immediately," he said in a video statement.

"I understood that it was a political investigation but I didn't realise how political it was, and they are holding Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein hostage... There is no case, there is absolutely nothing, just a political witch hunt, nothing else," he added.

The arrests ratchet up political tensions in the country, where the government is trying to fire both the domestic security chief and attorney general, while expanding the power of politicians over the appointment of judges.

The moves have reignited a protest movement in Israel, coinciding with the government's resumption of fighting this month in the Gaza Strip.

In the video statement, Netanyahu said the probe, dubbed Qatargate by local media, was aimed at "preventing the dismissal" of internal security chief Ronen Bar, who Netanyahu had moved to sack on March 21 citing an "ongoing lack of trust".

Earlier this month, the Shin Bet security agency announced it had started investigating Netanyahu's aides in relation to the Qatar case, barring the publication of any details.

On Monday night anti-government demonstrators again joined a protest outside parliament, mocking Netanyahu and calling for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to release hostages still held by militants there.