Former IDF General Alleged to Have Engaged in Bribery, Violation of Trust, and Communication with a Foreign Agent in the Qatargate Scandal
After a police inquiry, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yoav (Poli) Mordechai was temporarily removed from his role as deputy to the IDF’s chief hostage negotiator. In May, Haaretz reported that the company he owns sent money from Qatar to associates of the prime minister.
August 24th, noon August 25th, 8AM
Major General (ret.) Yoav (Poli) Mordechai was interviewed on Thursday regarding the case connecting Qatar to high-ranking officials and associates in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. He was released by the police under specific conditions and is suspected of bribery, breach of trust, and communicating with a foreign agent.
Following the inquiry, Mordechai was placed on temporary leave from his role as deputy in the Israel Defense Forces’ Division for Missing and Captive Soldiers, which is led by Maj. Gen. (ret.) Nitzan Alon.
The Israeli Police suspect bribery and breach of trust, as they consider Mordechai a public figure because of his prominent role in his reserve service. According to a law enforcement source who spoke with Haaretz, the suspicions against Mordechai have recently increased, as the account provided during his initial investigation has been undermined, resulting in him being called for a second round of questioning. Nevertheless, those involved in the case say there have been no significant developments, and the second round of questioning was conducted to collect more information before the investigations conclude.
Haaretz has discovered that the police have interviewed staff members at a firm owned by Mordechai, which Haaretz has revealed serves as a channel for transferring money from Qatar to associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During their inquiry, the police seized computers and documents from the company.
Several employees who were interviewed have been released while facing suspension from the company. Some individuals under suspicion were questioned by the Shin Bet intelligence agency, and one of Mordechai’s business associates, a former high-ranking Mossad officer, was arrested and interrogated in May.
A statement was released on Mordechai’s behalf by attorney Gadi Zilbershlag: “Throughout my entire career, I have always adhered to the legal requirements, and I have provided support to the State of Israel when needed.”
Here as well, even though everything was carried out openly, clearly, and reported as required by law,” the statement added, “I will take whatever steps are needed to support law enforcement in uncovering the truth, and will follow their guidance, if only because revealing the truth will demonstrate that no misconduct occurred.
Mordechai was first called in for interrogation following Haaretz’s report in May, which disclosed that the communication between Qatar and Israel involving Einhorn and Yonatan Urich took place through a British firm owned by a former Mossad agent suspected in the case.
A British company is a subsidiary of an Israeli firm owned by Mordechai and other former high-ranking defense officials. It was established to act as a channel for money related to work performed on behalf of Gulf states that were not ready or capable of dealing directly with Israeli companies and banks.
The corporation disclosed profits exceeding 38 million shekels ($11 million) from 2021 to 2023, as stated in corporate records submitted to British officials and examined by Haaretz. The money was reported in shekels to British authorities, suggesting that the majority of its operations are probably connected to Israel.
An Israeli firm led by Mordechai entered into an agreement with Perception, which is managed by Srulik Einhorn, a previous colleague of the prime minister. This company hired Yonatan Urich, a consultant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to conduct a campaign aimed at enhancing Qatar’s reputation before the 2022 World Cup.
An Israeli firm did not enter into a contract with Qatar because it was unable to communicate directly with them. The British company, which the Israeli firm held a stake in, signed the agreement with Qatar, and through this arrangement, the funds were directed to Perception.
Haaretz recently disclosed that documents from a British firm show earnings of tens of millions of shekels over three of the four years the campaign, called “Lighthouse,” was active. Mordechai stated he had no contact with Qatar or with the prime minister’s associates since October 7, 2023 – however, Haaretz found that the money kept being directed through the company he owns during the conflict.
Last week, Israel’s Kan 11 stated that Qatar provided more than $10 million over a period of two and a half years to several Israeli firms.
As per the report, Perception was paid $45,000 each month for the campaign, amounting to roughly $1.8 million over the three years the initiative ran. Urich, an advisor to Netanyahu, kept receiving $18,000 monthly even while Netanyahu was prime minister and throughout the conflict in Gaza.
Documents and sources viewed by Haaretz suggest that the agreement between Perception and the company owned by Mordechai and his partner was finalized in 2021, during the time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was leading the opposition.
Haaretz found out that following Mordechai’s initial contact with him, Urich established the link between the former military general Mordechai and Perception.
Haaretz also discovered that the Israeli firm had taken on government tasks. The government utilized it to offer consular support to Israelis visiting the World Cup in Qatar, and high-ranking company representatives helped the Foreign Ministry with communications that were described as confidential in at least two instances.
