\nAttorney Amit Hadad, who represents Urich, requested the gag order be lifted, arguing: \u201cIt\u2019s become a joke. The case is leaking everywhere, and this is a severe violation of human rights. There\u2019s no evidence\u2014just hot air for the media.\u201d The judge accepted the request and ruled that the gag order will expire tomorrow, allowing police time to appeal. He noted in his ruling: \u201cThis is an unusual case where the gag order has been rendered meaningless, not enforced in practice, and the investigation has become public.\u201d<\/p>\n
International Angle: Police Seek Testimony from Jay Footlik<\/strong> Alleged Pressure on Urich: \u201cBe Smart If You Want to See Your Baby\u201d<\/strong> Classified Leak\u2014or a Misrepresented Message?<\/strong> Hadad argued the message in question wasn\u2019t classified, stating: \u201cThe Prime Minister himself decides what is or isn\u2019t confidential.\u201d The judge disagreed, ruling that Urich is considered a public official, and therefore disclosing such information could carry criminal liability. Police also hinted at possible money laundering offenses, based on the suspected source of the funds.<\/p>\n The second detainee, Feldstein, also criticized what he described as \u201cthe police hijacking the investigation using improper tactics,\u201d and claimed that Hadad\u2014who represents both Netanyahu and Urich\u2014was being targeted by investigators: \u201cThey accuse him of a conflict of interest, while they themselves are bending the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n How the Investigation Unfolded\u2014And What Led to the Arrests<\/strong> Netanyahu Responds: \u201cA Political Witch Hunt\u201d<\/strong> Political Ramifications and a Widening Probe<\/strong> The court ruled to extend the gag order for just one more day. A police investigator claimed: \u201cUrich delivered messages on behalf of Qatar under political direction.\u201d Attorney Hadad: \u201cPolice implied\u2014become a state witness if you want to see your baby.\u201d As suspicions grow, so does the scope of the case.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":18612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77,8,6],"tags":[3649,3656,1480,3103,3655,2633,3654,1528,3651,3650,3653,3652],"class_list":["post-18610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-idf","category-politics","category-security","tag-eli-feldstein","tag-government-advisors","tag-israel","tag-israeli-politics","tag-political-scandal","tag-prime-minister","tag-prime-minister-netanyahu","tag-shin-bet","tag-state-attorneys-office","tag-the-courts","tag-train-at-the-gate","tag-yonatan-urich"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nAt the same time, Israeli police reached out to American lobbyist Jay Footlik\u2014who has known ties to the Qatari government\u2014requesting an open statement. Footlik, currently in the U.S., expressed willingness to cooperate. Police are now weighing the option of sending investigator Momi Meshulam\u2014who also took Netanyahu\u2019s testimony\u2014alongside another investigator and a state attorney to collect the statement abroad.<\/p>\n
\nToday\u2019s hearing began late, partly due to Judge Menachem Mizrahi\u2019s insistence that the suspects appear in court in person. Eventually, the hearing proceeded remotely. During the proceedings, Attorney Hadad claimed police had pressured Urich to cooperate: \u201cThey told him\u2014think carefully. If you want to see your baby girl tonight, be smart.\u201d Police denied the claim.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shite2-1024x683.jpg\")
\nNew findings were revealed in court: investigators alleged that Urich sent messages to journalists on behalf of the Prime Minister\u2019s Office that actually originated with a source tied to Qatar and funded by it. According to police, these messages were presented as if they had come from official political or security sources. Urich was also questioned about allegedly leaking information from the security cabinet. At Hadad\u2019s request, Netanyahu was asked about this claim during his own testimony.<\/p>\n
\nThe arrests were made after a key businessman\u2014whose identity remains under gag order\u2014arrived in Israel and was questioned under caution. During interrogation, he linked Urich and Feldstein to the alleged transfer of Qatari funds and to political messaging supposedly sent in their name. His testimony led to an open interview with Prime Minister Netanyahu, which lasted about an hour and was held at his office in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
\nFollowing his statement, Netanyahu released a sharp video message, accusing law enforcement of \u201cholding Urich and Feldstein hostage\u201d and describing the case as \u201ca political witch hunt meant to block the dismissal of the Shin Bet director and bring down the right-wing government.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBoth the political and legal establishments are watching closely as the investigation continues to expand\u2014with no end in sight. With Netanyahu\u2019s top aides now entangled in the case, legal experts are questioning whether the Prime Minister can continue efforts to remove Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, whose agency is directly involved in the investigation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"