Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s adviser Yonatan Urich reportedly sought to develop a strategy using artificial intelligence to enhance Qatar’s image amid ongoing regional tensions, according to police interrogation transcripts obtained by Channel 12 news. The transcripts reveal that Urich engaged in these efforts as recently as September 2024, nearly a year after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Investigators confronted Urich with claims that he employed the AI tool ChatGPT to craft messaging designed to influence public opinion in Israel, Jewish communities abroad, and American political circles. The interrogation material states that Urich, acting on behalf of Qatar’s prime minister and emir, solicited additional ideas from ChatGPT to improve Qatar’s standing during the Gaza conflict, which erupted following the 2023 attacks.
Urich reportedly denied these allegations during the police questioning, asserting that he could not recall specific queries made to ChatGPT and insisted that his inquiries covered a broad range of topics. He maintained that he had not undertaken any activities intended to benefit Qatar within Israel, including with the Israeli media, citizens, or government officials.
The reported revelations build on earlier accounts that linked Urich and Srulik Einhorn, both senior advisers to Netanyahu, to a pro-Qatar campaign preceding the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar. Investigations indicated that Urich’s activities on behalf of Qatar began while Netanyahu was out of office and allegedly persisted through the subsequent Gaza war.
According to internal documents and interviews with sources familiar with the campaign, Urich and Einhorn developed messaging strategies through their company, Perception. Enforcement of this messaging was carried out by another firm, Koios, which utilized a network of fabricated online personas and websites to disseminate Qatar-favorable content. These efforts included publishing numerous articles and social media posts supporting Qatar’s image following hostilities in Gaza.
A document dated August 2022, when Urich was serving as both Netanyahu’s adviser and Likud spokesperson, noted the challenge of negative discourse about the Israel-Gaza conflict within Jewish communities. It recommended emphasizing Qatar’s mediation role in cease-fire negotiations and peace efforts. This message was reportedly adjusted shortly after its initial drafting to target Jewish visitors to the World Cup.
Earlier this week, purported WhatsApp conversations between Urich and Channel 12’s political commentator Amit Segal were leaked via pirate websites. The messages allegedly covered topics such as the Likud election campaign, discussions about political and media figures, and commentary on the controversial film “NAZA.” Urich threatened legal action against those distributing the contents of these alleged communications. Segal responded publicly, characterizing the leak as part of the typical dynamic between journalists and their sources.