National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Sunday that representatives acting on his behalf had warned the Prime Minister’s Office about Eli Feldstein before his appointment.
Speaking on Channel 14’s The Patriots program, Ben-Gvir claimed that a close associate contacted officials in the Prime Minister’s Office on two occasions, warning that Feldstein was unreliable.
Ben-Gvir did not name the individuals involved but said they were familiar to the interviewers.
“We warned Netanyahu’s office before Feldstein started working there,” he said.
Ben-Gvir also addressed the Sde Teiman affair and allegations of obstruction of justice. He claimed that the attorney-general was aware of the leak of a video related to the case and, in his view, was involved in impeding the investigation.
When asked how he knew this, he replied, “I know,” and said the matter would become clearer in time.
Ben-Gvir alleges police sabotage of appointee
Ben-Gvir said that while some elements in the police were working to uncover the truth, others were obstructing it. He emphasized his continued confidence in Israel Police Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai, stating that “he knows how to read the material.”
He also referenced Meni Binyamin, an appointment he said was made at his initiative and in coordination with the police commissioner. According to Ben-Gvir, Binyamin became the target of a “targeted takedown” after raising questions and making demands.
Addressing allegations linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir dismissed any suggestion of wrongdoing.
“He is a patriot, a Zionist, and someone who loves Israel,” Ben-Gvir said.
He said that if Feldstein had acted on behalf of Qatar, he should face severe consequences, but emphasized there was no connection between Netanyahu and the Gulf state.
Shin Bet's role in investigating Urich
Ben-Gvir also defended Yonatan Urich, saying he believed Urich had been wronged and that he did not believe the allegations against him.
He said his ministry had sought the Shin Bet's (Israel Security Agency) involvement in the investigation, which he said led to rapid progress in the arrest of suspects.
Ben-Gvir added that he remains in close contact with the prime minister and law enforcement authorities and is determined to fully exhaust the investigation.