Outgoing Mossad chief reportedly says Qatargate affair didn’t seem to harm state security

David Barnea said to stress that his comments, which contradict position of ex-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, don’t touch on potential corruption allegations against Netanyahu’s aides

Outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly said in recent meetings that alleged ties between some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office staff and Qatar did not seem to have harmed national security or hostage deal negotiations — putting him at odds with former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who has called the affair a serious security threat.

Barnea, whose term ends in June, made the comments in recent meetings with journalists, the Haaretz newspaper reported Monday.

The Mossad chief stressed in the meetings that his opinion only addressed the security aspect of the so-called Qatargate affair, and that he would not opine on the potential corruption involved because he was not familiar with the specifics of the investigation, Haaretz said.

Barnea’s reported comments stood in contrast to the position of Bar, whom the government voted to fire in March 2025. Critics, including Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, have alleged that Bar’s dismissal was tainted by severe procedural flaws, as well as political and personal considerations, including the Qatargate investigation into Netanyahu’s advisers.

In a High Court affidavit a month later, Bar, who stepped down last June, cited “serious suspicions” that Qatari influence in Israel had strengthened Hamas, harmed relations with Egypt and damaged the talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US for the release of hostages then held in Gaza.

In the Qatargate affair, Netanyahu advisers Yisrael Einhorn, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein are accused of taking money to spearhead a pro-Qatari public relations campaign during the war in Gaza sparked by the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu — who as premier oversaw the monthly transfer of millions of dollars in cash from Qatar to Hamas for years until the terror group’s onslaught in southern Israel — claims the allegations are part of a witch hunt against him.

The affair has galvanized the premier’s critics and features prominently in protests against the government.

Some of Netanyahu’s political allies also expressed support for the Qatargate investigation after an interview with Feldstein and correspondence among suspects in the case were published in Hebrew media in December.

Ex-premier Naftali Bennett, considered Netanyahu’s most significant challenger in the election later this year, has said those involved deserve life in prison for having served an “enemy” in wartime.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.