The Prime Minister’s Office has claimed that Feldstein’s allegations are politically motivated and aimed at deflecting blame for the leak
December 23, 2025 10:54
A former aide to Prime Minister Netanyahu, currently indicted on charges of leaking classified information to the press, has claimed that the Israeli leader was supportive of his plan to use the material to sway public opinion against a hostage deal.
Eli Feldstein, once a spokesperson for Netanyahu, was arrested in October 2024 and charged with passing sensitive information to Bild, a German tabloid.
He is accused of leaking an internal Hamas memo, obtained by the IDF and classified to protect its source, that suggested the terror group was not interested in agreeing a deal to return hostages.
Prosecutors allege that this was done in order to ease public backlash against the government in the wake of the execution of six hostages by their captors in Rafah last August after IDF troops approached the area where they were held.
The incident had prompted significant criticism of Netanyahu personally in the media and the Knesset, with opponents claiming that his push for “total victory” over Hamas came at the expense of the lives of hostages.
Netanyahu has previously denied all knowledge of the leak, but, in his first interview since his arrest, Feldstein claimed that he made the prime minister aware that he would be in possession of classified information and intended to use it to quell public fury.
He told the Kan public broadcaster that, when he told Netanyahu that he and fellow aid Yonatan Urich were working to obtain the memo, the prime minister replied: “Excellent.”
Netanyahu has denied Feldstein’s account, accusing him of fabricating his account of their alleged conversation.
Several days after this alleged exchange took place, a story appeared in Bild citing a “secret” Hamas memo discussing the group’s opposition to a hostage deal and attempts to use the issue to sow division in Israeli society.
Netanyahu’s office issued a firm denial, claiming that Feldstein was attempting to deflect blame for the leak and improve his chances of avoiding a life sentence.
“[The prime minister] never gave Feldstein an order - either directly or indirectly - to leak classified intelligence. He did not authorise the circumvention of the military censor… nor was he involved in any illegal act.
"After months of persecution by the Attorney General’s Office and the Shin Bet against Feldstein, it is no wonder that he is willing to say anything the Left wants, including fabricating claims against the prime minister.”
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