Jonatan Urich
Jonatan Urich | |
|---|---|
יונתן אוריך | |
 | |
| Born | 21 February 1989 |
| Citizenship | Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Netanyahu spokesperson, IDF spokesperson, Kipa, Makor Rishon |
Jonatan Urich (Hebrew: יונתן אוריך; born 21 February 1989) is a strategic advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He previously served as Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman,[1][2][3] as director of new media, and as a spokesperson for the Likud movement.[4][5]
Biography
Urich was born in Kfar Saba. His father, Edward (Edi), originally from Poland, while his mother was religious. He grew up in a religious household and attended the Bar-Ilan religious state school in the city. During his youth, he was a member of the Bnei Akiva movement and the Realistic Religious Zionism movement.[6]
Qatargate allegations, arrest and release
In November 2024, reports emerged that Urich and Yisrael Einhorn, both senior advisers to Prime Minister Netanyahu, were involved in public relations efforts to improve Qatar's image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[7]
In February 2025, Israeli Channel 12 stated that Urich (along with Eli Feldstein) were employed by a Qatar-funded international firm to promote Doha's image in Israel, particularly highlighting Qatar's role in mediating hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was mentioned that the company sought to influence media coverage in Israel through direct and indirect means.[8]
In the same month, Attorney General of Israel Gali Baharav-Miara instructed the Shin Bet security agency and the Israel Police to investigate the allegations, marking the official launch of the "Qatargate" investigation.[9]
Urich was arrested on 31 March 2025,[10] and his arrest was extended by the "Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court" on 4 April until 7 April 2025.[11] Urich is suspected of multiple offenses, including contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering.[12]
He was released to house arrest on 7 April,[13] which ended in May 2025.[14]
The security restrictions that were in place will lapse on 18 August, after the magistrate court ruled on 14 August that the police did not "produce evidence" that would meet the threshold indicating that Urich was a "public servant."[15] The police appealed the decision on 17 August,[16] which was accepted by Lod District Court judge Amit Michles on 19 August. The restrictions against Urich will remain until 10 September.[17] Urich was "summoned" for questioning by Lahav 433, which was to take place the following day.[18]
References
- ^ שניידר, טל (2 July 2019). ""תעשה טובה ותישאר בטוויטר": נתניהו משיב לקמפיין של ברק". Globes. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "בנט יוצא במתקפה חריפה נגד החברותא שלו - בחדרי חרדים". www.bhol.co.il (in Hebrew). 4 July 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "לפיד לעג לברק; דוברו של נתניהו נחלץ לעזרה". סרוגים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ שניידר, טל (24 June 2019). "ליברמן: נתניהו מכשיר ממשלה צרה בתמיכת ערבים מבחוץ". Globes. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "גנץ: "רה"מ לחץ על כפתור פיזור הכנסת ואין דרך חזרה"". Maariv (in Hebrew). 26 June 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "חדשות - פולמוס nrg - קחו את הרבנות ותנו את המדרחוב". Makor Rishon. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ "Report: Netanyahu aides led PR campaign to boost Qatar's image ahead of 2022 World Cup". The Times of Israel. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ Bandel, Netael (1 April 2025). "'Qatargate' affair: Netanyahu aides accused of spreading paid Qatari propaganda during war". Ynet. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "PMO leaks suspect did PR for Qatar while working for Netanyahu, report claims". The Times of Israel. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy; Summers, Charlie (31 March 2025). "Netanyahu testifies in Qatargate probe after police summons, as top aides arrested". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Bandel, Netael (4 April 2025). "Court orders Netanyahu aides to house arrest in Qatargate probe, slams police conduct". Ynet. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ ToI Staff (4 April 2025). "Qatargate: Judge says PM's aide Urich stays in detention, Feldstein released to house arrest". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ ToI Staff (7 April 2025). "PM's aide Urich released to house arrest; Herzog: Qatargate must be 'deeply probed'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (21 May 2025). "Judge ends Qatargate suspect Urich's house arrest, police can appeal decision". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Court lifts restrictions on PM's aide suspected in Qatargate scandal". The Times of Israel. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (15 August 2025). "Police appeal Magistrate Court's decision to allow Urich to meet with PM". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Ben-Nun, Sarah (19 August 2025). "'Qatargate': Urich's conditions extended to September, judge accepts police appeal". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy; Writer, Staff (19 August 2025). "Accepting police's appeal, court extends restrictions on Qatargate suspect Urich". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 August 2025.