Poll: Most Israelis say PM should stop working with close aide Urich over Qatargate |
A poll conducted Thursday showed just over half of Israelis believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should stop working with close aide Jonathan Urich, who is suspected of having worked for the Qatari government while employed in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The poll by Channel 12 also demonstrates low public trust in the Netanyahu coalition’s efforts to form a politically appointed probe into the October 7, 2023, attack. And it shows the pro-Netanyahu bloc of parties trailing the opposition ahead of next year’s elections, with neither side reaching a majority.
The survey came in the wake of a string of explosive allegations about the scandal known as Qatargate, in which Urich and former Netanyahu spokesperson Eli Feldstein face allegations of being paid to promote messaging from Doha while working for Netanyahu.
Asked whether, in light of the developments in the affair, Netanyahu should stop employing Urich, 52 percent said he should.
Only 12% answered that he should not — saying, in other words, that he should keep working with Urich. 36% said they don’t know.
Respondents were also asked about the politically appointed commission of inquiry that........