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Haaretz Analyst Alon Pinkas Faces Qatargate Funding Controversy

1/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Alon Pinkas, a Haaretz political analyst, received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatari lobbyist Jay Footlik via businessman Gil Birger from January 2024 to March 2025, amid the Qatargate scandal.
Pinkas says the funds were for policy papers and denies involvement in any pro-Qatar campaign.
Aluf Benn, Haaretz editor, says Pinkas left the paper after acknowledging he received payments, and the departure was not publicly announced.

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Story summary

Alon Pinkas, a Haaretz political analyst, received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatari lobbyist Jay Footlik via businessman Gil Birger from January 2024 to March 2025, amid the Qatargate scandal.
Pinkas says the funds were for policy papers and denies involvement in any pro-Qatar campaign.
Aluf Benn, Haaretz editor, says Pinkas left the paper after acknowledging he received payments, and the departure was not publicly announced.