Court Bombshell: Eli Feldstein Attempted to Turn State's Witness in PMO Leak Scandal

In a dramatic turn of events in the "Bild" and "Qatar-gate" investigations, Judge Menachem Mizrahi revealed on Wednesday that Eli Feldstein, the prime suspect and former media advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, attempted to negotiate a deal to become a state witness.

The revelation came during a court hearing regarding the extension of restrictive conditions for several employees in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Judge Mizrahi has ordered the Israel Police to hand over Feldstein’s "clean testimony" (Hebrew: Edut Nikayon) for judicial review. This type of testimony is a formal statement given by a suspect during negotiations for a state witness deal, in which they disclose everything they know to help prosecutors decide if the information is valuable enough to grant immunity or a reduced sentence.

### From "Loyalist" to "Weak Link"

Feldstein was long considered the "weak link" within Netanyahu's inner circle for several reasons:

* **Employment Status:** His role at the PMO was reportedly irregular, leaving him without the standard legal protections afforded to official civil servants.

* **Social Pressure:** As a member of the Haredi community, Feldstein reportedly feared the stigma of being a *"moser"* (an informant or "snitch").

* **Political Abandonment:** Observers note that after Netanyahu initially distanced himself from Feldstein when the scandal broke a year ago, the suspect's willingness to cooperate with authorities appears to have increased.

While Feldstein has offered to cooperate, the State Attorney’s Office is reportedly demanding more. Prosecutors are seeking "clear explanations" regarding:

1. The Chains of Command: Exactly who within the PMO authorized the leak of top-secret documents to the German outlet Bild.

2. Financial Trails: The specifics of the "Qatar-gate" affair, involving alleged illicit funds.

Sources suggest the prosecution may ultimately decline the state witness deal. There is a possibility that Feldstein has already provided enough information during his interrogation to allow the state to file an indictment against him and others without granting him the benefits of a formal deal.