Jerusalem Post Editor Placed Under House Arrest in Qatargate Scandal

Zvika Klein, the editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, has come under scrutiny in an investigation dubbed the Qatargate scandal, which involves allegations that aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received benefits from Qatar in exchange for favorable coverage. Initially summoned for open testimony, Klein was later questioned under caution after police developed suspicions linking him to a scheme of receiving benefits from Qatar. His associates vehemently deny these allegations, asserting that Klein's journalistic work was conducted ethically and transparently, without any compensation from Qatari sources. The investigation has also involved the arrest of two of Netanyahu's aides, who are accused of bribery and other related offenses. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara emphasized the importance of press freedom during investigations but acknowledged that Klein's statements raised significant suspicions. Klein has since been released from house arrest, but the inquiry continues, with his phone still in police custody.