Israel Police announced on Sunday that the investigation into alleged Qatari influence involving figures close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - known as the “Qatargate” affair - has been transferred to the prosecution for review.
The transfer marks the conclusion of the police investigation phase at this stage, placing the file in prosecutors’ hands to determine whether the evidence supports filing indictments, requires further investigative steps, or warrants closing the case, including whether suspects will be notified of a pre-indictment hearing.
At the same time, police filed a request with the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court to extend the restrictive measures imposed on Netanyahu adviser Yonatan Urich by an additional 60 days.
The measures include a requirement to report to police upon request, a prohibition on contacting anyone connected to the case - including officials in the Prime Minister’s Office - and a continued ban on leaving Israel.
However, Judge Menachem Mizrahi criticized police for submitting the request only hours before the existing restrictions were set to expire, saying the timing made it impossible to rule on the matter properly.
He instructed the parties to submit additional responses, including on whether police were authorized to seek the extension and whether prosecutorial approval was required, and said a decision would be issued later.
The judge also made clear that he was not ruling at this stage on whether there is reasonable suspicion against Urich - a procedural step that does not affect prosecutors’ ability to make decisions going forward.
Qatargate probe continues as prosecution reviews case
The court decision also makes clear that while the case file has been transferred to the prosecution, the option of further investigative completions remains open, a standard procedural possibility even after such a transfer.
The Qatargate investigation grew out of inquiries into the separate “Bild” affair, which concerns the alleged leak of classified military documents to the German tabloid Bild during the Israel-Hamas War.
Investigators suspect the material was disseminated without authorization and in a manner intended to influence public discourse surrounding hostage negotiations with Hamas.
That case centers on Eli Feldstein, a former military spokesperson in the Prime Minister’s Office whose security clearance had been revoked prior to the publication. The alleged leak led to the arrest and indictment of IDF reservist Ari Rosenfeld, who is accused of unlawfully transmitting classified information.
As investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the leak - including Feldstein’s continued involvement in sensitive political and security-adjacent matters - police say they uncovered indications of separate but related improper contacts involving Netanyahu’s close advisers. Those findings formed the basis for the broader Qatargate probe.
The Qatargate investigation focuses on suspected ties between figures in Netanyahu’s political circle and Qatar, a country with which Israel has no direct diplomatic relations, and which has supported Hamas for years, while also serving as a mediator in the war.
The probe centers on Urich and longtime political consultant Israel (Srulik) Einhorn, and examines alleged advisory and financial relationships connected to Qatari interests. The investigation has been conducted by the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit with the involvement of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
According to police documents, Urich is suspected of offenses including assistance to a foreign agent, disclosure of classified information, acceptance of a bribe, money laundering through failure to report, and fraud and breach of trust. No prosecutorial decision has yet been made.