Jonatan Urich

Jonatan Urich (Hebrew: יונתן אוריך; born 21 February 1989) is a strategic advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He previously served as Netanyahu’s spokesman, as director of new media, and as a spokesperson for the Likud movement.

Jonatan Urich
יונתן אוריך
Born	(1989-02-21) 21 February 1989 (age 36)[citation needed]
Citizenship	Israel
Occupation(s)	Netanyahu spokesperson, IDF spokesperson, Kipa, Makor Rishon

Biography

Urich was born in Kfar Saba. His father, Edward (Edi), was originally from Poland, while his mother was religious. He grew up in a religious household and attended the Bar-Ilan religious state school in the city. During his youth, he was a member of the Bnei Akiva movement and the Realistic Religious Zionism movement.^[1]

He previously served as Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman,^[2][3][4] as director of new media, and as a spokesperson for the Likud movement.^[5][6]

Legal issues

Urich, Yisrael Einhorn, and Ofer Golan, all of whom were advisors to Netanyahu, were investigated in 2019 on charges of witness intimidation.^[7]

In November 2024, reports emerged that Urich and Einhorn were involved in public relations efforts to improve Qatar's image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.^[8]

He was questioned the same month on suspicion of telling Eli Feldstein to send classified material to Einhorn, who sent it to the German newspaper Bild.^[9]

In February 2025, Israeli Channel 12 stated that Urich ,along with Feldstein, was employed by a Qatar-funded international firm, The Third Circle (which was owned by Jay Footlik), to promote Doha's image in Israel, particularly highlighting Qatar's role in mediating hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was mentioned that the company sought to influence media coverage in Israel through direct and indirect means.^[10]

In the same month, Attorney General of Israel Gali Baharav-Miara instructed the Shin Bet security agency and the Israel Police to investigate the allegations, marking the official launch of the "Qatargate" investigation.^[11]

Urich was arrested on 31 March 2025,^[12] and his arrest was extended by the magistrate court in Petah Tikva on 4 April until 7 April 2025.^[13] Urich is suspected of multiple offenses, including contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering.^[14]

He was released to house arrest on 7 April,^[15] which ended in May 2025.^[16]

The security restrictions that were in place would have lapsed on 18 August, after the magistrate court ruled on 14 August that the police did not "produce evidence" that would meet the threshold indicating that Urich was a "public servant."^[17] The police appealed the decision on 17 August,^[18] which was accepted by Lod district court judge Amit Michles on 19 August. The restrictions against Urich will remain until 10 September.^[19] Urich was called for questioning by Lahav 433, which took place on 20 August.^[20]