[53451] Report: Shin Bet expected to soften its opinion in the 'Qatargate' affair

Development in the 'Qatargate' affair: Shin Bet's position is forming

According to a report by journalist Amit Segal, the Shin Bet organization is leaning toward significantly downplaying the severity of the offenses attributed to those involved in the 'Qatargate' affair. According to the publication, the legal opinion currently taking shape within the organization is not expected to determine that the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates in the affair posed a risk to national security.

It is estimated that this conclusion by the Shin Bet, as reported in 'Haaretz' and mentioned by Segal, could lead to a dramatic change in the handling of the legal case. In the event that no security risk is indeed proven, the future charges against those involved in the affair are expected to be softened, such that they will be charged with offenses related to "integrity and public ethics alone" and not with serious security offenses.

Segal, who is identified with right-wing positions and tends to cover the actions of the government and the security echelon from an angle that emphasizes the legal and political complexity of the various affairs, notes that the opinion constitutes a critical crossroads for the continuation of the investigation and prosecution proceedings in this affair.