The Israeli Police have finished the investigation into the “Qatargate” affair, and the case file is expected to be transferred to state prosecutors within about 60 days for possible indictments.

A key delay is that Jay Footlik an American lobbyist described as acting on behalf of Qatar has still not been questioned, and the U.S. has not yet coordinated a date for his testimony.

A classified Shin Bet assessment is still pending, examining whether campaigning in favor of Qatar could be considered harming state security. The court stressed this assessment is essential for such charges.

Judge Menachem Mizrahi warned that without Footlik’s testimony, much of the evidence may be considered hearsay, describing the case as “mountains hanging by a hair.”

He also denied police requests to continue holding the mobile phones of Netanyahu adviser Jonatan Urich, who refused to provide passwords, citing self-incrimination rights. Police argued they could not break into the devices.

During the hearing, Urich’s attorney referred to the separate “Bild” affair and noted that former Netanyahu military spokesman Eli Feldstein passed his initial polygraph, said he acted alone, and investigators found no call or location data linking him to Urich. Feldstein said any contact would have been face-to-face.

About a month ago, the State Attorney’s Office informed MK Merav Cohen that the investigation remains open with both the police and Shin Bet, and cannot be publicly detailed while ongoing.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)