Discussions have been taking place over the last few weeks between “Qatargate” suspect Eli Feldstein and prosecutors regarding the possibility of him becoming a state’s witness, a source familiar with the details said.
Feldstein allegedly leaked classified military documents to the German tabloid Bild after permission for their publication was denied by the Israeli military censor.
Documents published to sway public opinion on hostage talks
The documents were eventually published, allegedly to sway public opinion on the hostage negotiations - at the reported behest of Qatar.
This was around August 2024, when six hostages were killed by their Hamas captors in a tunnel: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, and Alex Lobanov.
The source noted that the option of Feldstein becoming a state’s witness is being discussed, but that nothing is final yet.
Feldstein’s close acquaintances said from the start that he wouldn’t agree to be a state’s witness – or to “turn sides.”
Now, though, the prosecution will be left to decide if what he can provide in terms of materials is significant enough to breach that consideration.
A senior public defense official told Walla that the prosecution will need to ascertain what information it can draw out of Feldstein that he hasn’t already told Israel Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in interrogations.
Both the state prosecution and Feldstein’s legal team said they could not comment on specifics of the case.