Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid on Monday sparred over social media after the premier shared a report by a pro-government news outlet that the Yesh Atid chair held a meeting with Qatari officials organized by US lobbyist Jay Footlik — a suspect in the so-called Qatargate scandal.

Netanyahu’s critics have rebuked him over the affair, in which the prime minister’s aides are accused of lobbying on behalf of Qatar while in his employ. Sunday’s report by Channel 14, which is seen as close to the prime minister, was shared by Netanyahu, who accused his opponents of hypocrisy since they supposedly shared his aides’ connection with Doha.

According to the report, Lapid, as well as opposition Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz, held a meeting with representatives of Qatar, alongside the families of hostages in Gaza, in January 2025.

The meeting was mediated by Footlik, a paid advocate for Qatar, who is thought to have funneled money to Netanyahu spokesperson Jonatan Urich to do work for Doha. Footlik is also suspected of paying money to Eli Feldstein, formerly Netanyahu’s military affairs spokesman, via an Israeli businessman based in the Gulf.

Both Lapid and Gantz’s Blue and White party denied the two held a meeting coordinated by Footlik.

In his original post sharing the report, Netanyahu mentioned both Lapid and Gantz’s........

© The Times of Israel