Jerusalem Post - Funded by Qatar!

An ongoing investigation has revealed new details about Jay Footlik, a prominent lobbyist known for his work on behalf of Qatar.

Sources report that Footlik, who recently visited Israel as a guest of Jpost's editor-in-chief Zvika Klein, is linked to payments made to JPost (!) for publishing pro-Qatar articles.

The arrangement has raised questions about the legality of such financial ties, though it remains unclear whether the actions violate Israeli law. Authorities have yet to comment officially, and a gag order may soon restrict further disclosures.

Who is Jay Footlik?

Jay Footlik is a U.S.-based lobbyist with a long history in political and consulting circles. He first gained prominence as a Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, where he served as a liaison to the American Jewish community, and later advised Senator John Kerry on Middle East affairs during the 2004 presidential campaign. Over the years, he transitioned into a career as a registered foreign agent under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), notably through his consulting firm, ThirdCircle Inc. Since 2019, Footlik has been contracted by the Qatari Embassy in Washington, D.C., earning $40,000 per month to promote Qatar’s interests in the United States. This includes arranging trips for American elected officials to Qatar and, more recently, facilitating connections that have drawn significant scrutiny.

The investigation is part of the broader “Qatargate” scandal in Israel, which has been roiling Israeli politics for weeks. This probe centers on allegations that individuals close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including his former aide Eli Feldstein, received payments from Qatar, funneled through intermediaries like Footlik, while serving in sensitive government roles. Israeli businessman Gil Birger has already admitted in recordings aired on March 19, 2025, by Kan public broadcaster, that he transferred funds from Footlik to Feldstein, ostensibly to address "VAT issues." These payments occurred while Feldstein was Netanyahu’s spokesman, a role he held without a direct salary from the Prime Minister’s Office due to a security clearance delay. The implication is explosive: that Qatar, via Footlik, may have indirectly financed a key figure in Netanyahu’s wartime administration.

Footlik’s presence in Israel, as Zvika Klein's guest, ties into reports that he helped arrange media opportunities to bolster Qatar’s image. Klein, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, visited Doha in 2024 and wrote favorably about Qatar, a trip reportedly facilitated by Feldstein with Footlik’s involvement. The claim that Footlik is linked to payments to a local newspaper for pro-Qatar articles suggests a concerning coordinated PR effort, which could even extend beyond Feldstein’s actions to influence Israeli public opinion directly.

Footlik’s contract with Qatar, detailed by Shomrim in 2025, required him to secure Doha’s approval for any subcontractor he hired, including Feldstein. This clause undermines Footlik’s earlier claim, reported by Israeli media, that he was unaware Feldstein worked in Netanyahu’s office. If he adhered to the contract, Qatar would have known about and approved Feldstein’s role, raising questions about the Gulf state’s intent to infiltrate or influence Israeli decision-making during a critical wartime period. Footlik’s work also extended to advising families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, arranging their meetings with Qatari officials, which he framed as humanitarian efforts. However, this dual role, lobbyist and intermediary, has fueled suspicions of a broader agenda.

The investigation has sparked a political firestorm. Netanyahu has denounced it as a “fake scandal,” while critics argue it exposes vulnerabilities in his inner circle. The timing of Footlik’s interrogation coincides with heightened tensions over Netanyahu’s attempt to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who oversees part of the probe: a move the Attorney General has challenged, citing a conflict of interest. Public protests have erupted, with some accusing Netanyahu of shielding aides linked to Qatar, a known backer of Hamas.

Footlik’s background is also interesting. A former child actor turned political operative, he’s worked for diverse clients, Al Jazeera, Morocco, the Palestinian Investment Fund, while maintaining ties to Jewish and pro-Israel communities. His shift to representing Qatar, a state with a controversial role in Middle East politics, has drawn him into this murky affair.

This revelation could shed new light on Qatar’s broader influence strategy in Israel.

More importantly though, it could answer why the center / somewhat right-aligned JPost suddenly became strongly left wing in its reporting.