Feldstein Released to House Arrest, Additional Confidential Hearing for Urich

After Judge Menachem Mizrachi ordered the release to house arrest of the two suspects in the Qatar contacts case from the PM's circle, Jonathan Urich and Eli Feldstein, the police appealed the decision, leading to an additional hearing held in the court in Lod.

The Magistrate's Court in Petah Tikva previously ordered the release of Prime Minister's advisor Jonathan Urich and former Prime Minister's spokesperson Eli Feldstein to house arrest until April 22, despite the police requesting to extend their detention by seven days.

In his decision, Judge Menachem Mizrachi criticized the police, saying: "I cannot give weight to that danger claim that only emerged today. Unfortunately, there is concern that the petitioner used the detention days for another investigation as well."

The judge further noted: "They claimed the existence of an expert opinion about security damage, but when it was finally delivered to me, it was only an unsigned draft, without real security damage."

However, the police requested a stay of execution to appeal the decision.

In the hearing regarding Jonathan Urich, his wife, Attorney Talia Urich, addressed the court and requested his release to house arrest.

"This is Mari, she was born four months ago," she said emotionally, "I commit to supervising Jonathan 24 hours a day, he is missing for me and our daughter. He will not obstruct anything."

At the end of the hearing, the judge said: "There is a distinction between Urich and Feldstein, and in Feldstein's case, I believe we can accept his release." Regarding Urich, it was proposed to keep him in detention until Monday, subject to agreement. Attorney Chaddad, Urich's lawyer, objected: "We oppose additional detention."

Meanwhile, an opinion by Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon reveals that the police intend to investigate Israel (Shrulik) Einhorn regarding his involvement in the "Qatar-gate" affair.

"As part of the investigation, several suspects were questioned and arrested, including Feldstein and Urich, on suspicion of committing security offenses, criminal offenses related to integrity, and economic offenses," it states. "An open testimony was collected from the Prime Minister, and additional figures are expected to be investigated, including Einhorn, who is a suspect in this case but is staying abroad."

The Likud party responded harshly to the opening of the investigation in the "Fake Qatar" affair, calling it "a direct continuation of the years-long witch hunt and persecution against the Prime Minister and his people, through fabricated affairs."

The party further claimed that "the real conflict of interest is the personal connection between the Legal Advisor to the Government and the head of the Shin Bet - whom the Israeli government unanimously decided to replace - and the two are working together to create fictitious affairs, using law enforcement authorities as a political tool."

Finally, the party claims: "This is another fake affair, after dozens of previous ones that have already collapsed - all intended to block the dismissal of the Shin Bet chief and harm the right-wing government."