The planned interview in the United States of lobbyist Jay Footlik—suspected of involvement in the Qatargate affair—was unexpectedly delayed for a third time. Footlik’s appearance was expected as part of a cooperative effort with the Israel Police, but according to U.S. Department of Justice sources, Israeli authorities have not been informed of the reason for the delay.
The previous postponements were reportedly due to personal circumstances, including the death of Footlik’s parents.
Footlik, an American Jew who has represented Qatari interests in Washington, is reportedly compensated by the Qatari embassy. He has been described by Israeli investigators as a significant figure in the ongoing probe, and Israeli police have characterized him as a foreign agent of Doha, according to Criminal Investigator Zohar Erez. In April, Ynet revealed that Israeli authorities had requested Footlik's cooperation for a voluntary interview. Following this, he retained prominent defense attorney and former prosecutor Uri Corb.
According to allegations made in the investigation, Footlik supported Qatari interests during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. Authorities are examining claims that this included covering the salary of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman, Eli Feldstein, through businessman Gil Birger.
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“An American company named The Third Circle, allegedly owned by Footlik and involved in promoting Qatari interests in several countries—including Israel—established direct and indirect ties with suspect Yonatan Urich, Netanyahu’s advisor.” According to the indictment, the goal was “to promote Qatar favorably regarding the hostage deal, and to spread negative messages about Egypt’s role as mediator, thus elevating Qatar's image.”
Mizrachi added that, "to accomplish this, a business-economic connection was created between this company, via intermediaries Urich and another suspect (Israel Einhorn), in exchange for funds transferred from the company to Eli Feldstein via Gil Birger. In practical terms, the three allegedly acted to send messages to journalists so that pro-Qatar articles would appear in the media, minimizing Egypt's role as a fair mediator and steering the news agenda.”
Meanwhile, i24news reports that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara intends to request the extradition of Israel Einhorn from Serbia. Police efforts to reach Einhorn through Interpol have so far been unsuccessful.