Israeli businessman Gil Birger is reported to have transferred funds from Qatari lobbyist Jay Footlik to Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman for PM Netanyahu. The recording reveals tax-related assistance and outlines Feldstein’s involvement in public relations efforts for Qatar during hostage negotiations. Some advisers closely linked to Netanyahu faced scrutiny for a campaign to improve Qatar’s image ahead of the 2022 World Cup, while denials from the involved parties continue to surface.
Israeli businessman Gil Birger has been implicated in moving funds from Jay Footlik, a lobbyist for the Qatari government, to Eli Feldstein, who served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman. This information surfaced through a recording broadcast by Kan Bet public radio, which corroborated earlier reports from Israel’s Channel 13 News. Birger’s recording indicates that he arranged these transfers to assist Feldstein with tax-related issues stemming from his dealings with the lobbyist.
In the recording, Birger stated, “[Feldstein] asked for my help because of tax concerns. I’ve known him for 25 years. I’m not involved, I don’t operate in Israel.” He clarified that Feldstein engaged directly with Footlik, and he was not personally involved in the arrangements.
Reports from February by Israel’s Channel 12 suggested that Feldstein was involved in public relations for a foreign company linked to the Qatari government, particularly regarding hostage negotiations during his tenure with Netanyahu. Feldstein reportedly facilitated a positive narrative for Qatar during those discussions, which concluded following the emergence of the BibiLeaks scandal involving classified documents.
Feldstein’s legal representation contested the accuracy of this narrative, while Omer Dostri, Netanyahu’s spokesperson, affirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office was unaware of any such activities involving Feldstein. Further investigations by Haaretz in November revealed that senior Netanyahu advisers had orchestrated a public relations initiative to enhance Qatar’s reputation leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, partnering with an Israeli firm to promote a narrative of peace and stability for Qatar, which was then Hamas’s key financial supporter. Both advisers denied these claims.
The transfer of funds from a Qatari lobbyist to a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister raises significant ethical and legal questions. This situation, further complicated by ties to public relations activities aimed at portraying Qatar positively during sensitive diplomatic discussions, exemplifies the intricate intersections of business, politics, and international relations. Ongoing denials from involved parties underscore the controversy surrounding these allegations and the necessity for transparency in political communications.
Original Source: www.haaretz.com
