Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is expected to determine that the indictment in the so-called "Qatargate" affair will include security-related offenses, Channel 13 reported Tuesday evening. According to the report, officials at the Justice Ministry believe sufficient evidence has accumulated to support charges of contact with a foreign agent.
Baharav-Miara is expected to decide on filing indictments against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adviser Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein on security offenses. An indictment pending a hearing is also anticipated against a former senior Mossad official suspected in connection with the case.
However, final opinions from the Shin Bet security service and the Mossad regarding the affair have not yet been submitted. Despite this, Justice Ministry officials believe the evidentiary foundation collected is sufficient to include the security charge. "There is enough evidence for the security offense, contact with a foreign agent," ministry sources said.
Approximately two months ago, Channel 13 reported that the opinion on whether to prosecute Urich, Feldstein, and Srulik Einhorn on security offenses was expected to come specifically from the Mossad. Simultaneously, questions were raised about whether Mossad chief Roman Gofman faced a conflict of interest due to his closeness to the suspects, having previously served as Netanyahu's military secretary. The Mossad stated at the time that "the matter is being examined by the organization's legal adviser."
The investigation has also highlighted discrepancies between Netanyahu's and Urich's accounts regarding how spokespeople in the Prime Minister's Office operate. In his testimony, Netanyahu sought to distance himself from any regular professional relationship with Feldstein, stating: "He can't say he worked with me personally, that's simply not true." He later added: "You know what it means, someone who was nothing?"
By contrast, Urich testified that spokespeople work directly with the prime minister and that statements issued from the office require his approval. According to Urich, "Spokespeople work directly with the PM, every statement requires his approval."
About two weeks ago, Urich was added to the amended indictment in the case involving the leak of classified documents to the German newspaper Bild. He is charged with intentionally transmitting classified information to harm state security, transmitting classified information, possessing classified information, and destroying evidence.
