Arrest Warrant Issued
Israeli Police Brand Netanyahu's Ex-Adviser Einhorn a Fugitive in Qatargate Scandal
Israeli police declare Netanyahu's ex-adviser Yisrael (Srulik) Einhorn a fugitive in explosive Qatargate scandal, accusing him of Qatari-funded PR blitz and confidential leaks. Warrant issued as he evades in Serbia.
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing "Qatargate" affair, Israeli police have officially declared Yisrael "Srulik" Einhorn, a former campaign adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a "fugitive criminal" and issued an arrest warrant against him. The move marks the first public acknowledgment of his evasive status, as authorities ramp up pressure in a probe that's rocking the political landscape.
Einhorn, suspected of passing confidential information, has reportedly dodged returning to Israel and is believed to be holed up in Serbia, where he serves as an adviser to President Aleksandar Vučić. Police made the declaration during a court hearing in Rishon Lezion, where they also sought to extend restrictions on Jonatan Urich, another key figure in the scandal. If approved, Urich would be barred from contacting anyone linked to the case or working in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). timesofisrael.com
At the heart of Qatargate, a scandal that erupted in February 2025, are allegations that Einhorn, Urich, and former PMO spokesman Eli Feldstein pocketed funds from Qatari sources to orchestrate a PR blitz portraying Qatar in a glowing light, even after the October 7 Hamas attacks and despite Doha's well-known ties to the terror group.
The trio allegedly operated from within the PMO, "manufacturing reality" through fabricated briefings and media leaks attributed to U.S. officials, as revealed in leaked texts. haaretz.com Netanyahu himself is not implicated as a suspect.
This isn't Einhorn's only brush with the law; he's also entangled in a separate leaked documents scandal. Investigators from Lahav 433 traveled to Serbia last July to question him, where he claimed he was "misled" into believing the leaks were sanctioned. Despite the overseas grilling, his refusal to return has now triggered the fugitive label, highlighting the affair's international twists.
The scandal has already claimed ripples: Feldstein was arrested earlier for document leaks, and connections have surfaced involving journalists and even meetings at Israel's D.C. embassy. Qatar's prime minister has dismissed the claims as "baseless Israeli-led propaganda."
As the investigation heats up, questions swirl about influence peddling at the highest levels. Will Einhorn face extradition from Serbia?