Former senior advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yisrael "Srulik" Einhorn, is currently being questioned in Serbia by Israeli police regarding his alleged involvement in the "Qatargate" and "BibiLeaks" scandals. Einhorn, who has been residing in Belgrade for the past year, is a key figure in investigations concerning classified document leaks and public relations work for Qatar.

Ex-Netanyahu Aide Faces Interrogation in Serbia

Israeli police investigators from the Lahav 433 major crimes unit have traveled to Serbia to question Yisrael Einhorn, a former senior election campaign adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The questioning pertains to his role in the "Qatargate" affair and the leaked documents case, which have cast a shadow over the Prime Minister’s Office for several months.

Einhorn has been living in Belgrade for the past year, serving as an adviser to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and has not returned to Israel since an intelligence leak probe began last year.

Key Allegations Against Einhorn

  • Qatargate Affair: Einhorn, along with Jonatan Urich (a top aide to the prime minister) and ex-spokesman Eli Feldstein, is a suspect in the ongoing Qatargate probe. Investigators are particularly interested in his public relations work for Qatar through his firm, Perception, which he co-ran with Urich. The firm reportedly spearheaded a pro-Qatari campaign to portray the Gulf state positively ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
  • BibiLeaks (Classified Documents Leak): Einhorn is also a key suspect in the intelligence leak case, which involves the alleged theft of classified IDF documents and the leaking of one to the German daily, Bild. Charges are pending against Urich in this case for transmitting classified files and destroying evidence.
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Einhorn’s Residence and Previous Negotiations

Einhorn’s relocation to Serbia occurred before the investigations into the ties between Netanyahu’s advisers and Qatar, and the classified document leak, were opened. His strategic consulting firm, founded in Serbia, reportedly earned over $2.3 million from foreign clients in 2024.

Einhorn had previously attempted to negotiate a deal with the State Attorney’s Office to return to Israel for questioning without being arrested, but these talks failed. He then requested to be interrogated in Serbia, a request initially rejected by prosecutors who preferred his return to Israel or extradition. However, a reversal in the prosecutor’s position led to the current questioning in Serbia.

Related Developments

  • The State Attorney’s Office declined to appeal a decision to ease the house arrest conditions for Eli Feldstein, another suspect in the classified documents affair.
  • No charges have yet been filed against any suspects in the Qatargate investigation.

Sources

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