The Qatar-Netanyahu Affair: A True Scandal or Blatant Hypocrisy?

Following the discovery that Srulik Einhorn and Yonatan Urich, two of Netanyahu's most senior advisors assisted Qatar in projects related to PR and branding, it now turns out that a third advisor working at the Prime Minister's Office has also been involved with the Qataris. That official, Eli Feldstein, has already been entangled in a previous leaked documents affair that rattled Israel...

Perhaps through Feldstein, the public can understand the flawed attempt to place blame on these three advisors for their ties with the oil gulf state.

First and foremost, It is important to clarify that I am not their defender— rather, I believe that if they should be prosecuted for these questionable connections, then the entire Israeli government, along with Mossad and the Shin Bet, would also have to spend time in prison or under interrogation... A state of affairs which does not make much sense at all...

So here’s the case:

And now, to the core issue regarding his former colleagues Einhorn and Urich.

A state that has no problem working with Qatar on matters of national security like Israel has been doing for decades perhaps, that does not hesitate to arm Hamas and strengthen it for 20 years using Qatari money and influence, that does not declare Qatar an enemy state, and that holds other financial ties with the gulf state, cannot suddenly be concerned that the Qataris

1. have realized that some jews are PR wizards

2. that Jewish and Israeli public opinion matters

3. that Western public opinion is crucial -

and finally,

4. that perhaps it's worthwhile to influence all of the above using a PR campaign that utilizes existing ties with Israeli affiliates.

Given that, it makes perfect sense for Qatar to operate through their primary channel of influence—the Israeli Prime Minister's Office who they have been working with closely for the past 7 years in the open - it comes as no surprise that they chose an existing channel.

But here's the kick, it turns out that the PMO is home not only to excellent PR professionals but also to individuals with connections to people Qatar already collaborated with—Mossad and the Prime Minister’s Office itself.

As bizarre as it may sound, the Qataris may not have acted in good faith in their attempt to gain influence over such strategic figures, and their attempt to double dip, but they certainly followed the classic "My friends will bring your friends" horse-trading approach that is internationally accepted among countries who wish to exhibit soft-power using money, culture, or education.

As for Einhorn, Urich, and Feldstein? If their boss works with Qatar and legitimizes them, why wouldn’t they do the same?

A blatant conflict of interests you may say?

That's not how the law works especiallly when it's not forbidden to conduct business with Qatar. In that sense the three might as well be questioned for conducting business with an American or Swiss company.

Even the fact that Feldstein allegedly worked with the Qataris during the war is neither surprising nor troubling from a legal prespective. After all, that is exactly what the Israeli government has done and continues to do—including Mossad and the Prime Minister himself.

On a deeper level, a state that collaborates with the PLO and Jabhat al-Nusra like Israel - cannot pick and choose selectively.

A state that based, and is still basing its security policy on coordination with Hamas cannot prevent its citizens from doing business with Qatar.

Sorry Israel, maybe next time.

Yairkleinbaum@gmail.com