Netanyahu’s chief of staff hit with travel ban as intelligence leak probe widens

Tzahi Braverman, the chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the presumptive future ambassador to the UK, was questioned Sunday evening on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into a classified intelligence leak.

The interrogation, conducted by the Lahav 433 major crimes unit, lasted approximately 13 hours.

While Braverman was released under restrictive conditions, he was issued a 30-day ban on traveling abroad and a 15-day ban on entering the Prime Minister’s Office.

Furthermore, Braverman has been prohibited from establishing contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

In a statement released Sunday morning, the police announced that an aide had been detained on suspicion of “disrupting investigative processes,” though they did not disclose Braverman’s identity at that time.

It is reported that these restrictions could delay the start of Braverman’s tenure as ambassador to London, scheduled for September 2025. Similar restrictions were imposed on Omer Mansour, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office who was summoned to testify alongside Braverman.

Allegations of promises to halt the investigation

At the center of the judicial process are statements provided by Eli Feldstein, Netanyahu’s former spokesperson, who was arrested for allegedly leaking classified documents to the German newspaper Bild.

Feldstein alleged that Braverman was aware of the covert investigation months in advance and had told him he could halt the proceedings.

According to Feldstein’s testimony, Braverman summoned him for a late-night meeting in the underground parking garage of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

During this meeting, Braverman allegedly informed Feldstein that the investigation launched by the military was reaching into the Prime Minister’s Office and asked Feldstein to notify him if he had any connection to the leak.

It is alleged that Braverman pledged to Feldstein that he could “close” the investigation. Claims also suggest that Omer Mansour witnessed this clandestine meeting.

The Philadelphi Corridor and hostage exchange debate

It was argued that the document forming the basis of the investigation—leaked to Bild—contained information regarding a plan by former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to smuggle hostages from Gaza into Egypt.

Presented as evidence that Hamas did not desire a deal, this document was later revealed by the Israeli press to be inauthentic.

The Israeli opposition accuses the Netanyahu administration of sabotaging the hostage exchange deal. Allegedly, these forged documents were utilized as a pretext to maintain the military occupation of the strategic Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Confronted with Braverman under police supervision on Sunday, Feldstein reiterated his allegations; while Braverman admitted the meeting took place, he denied the claims that he had warned Feldstein.

Qatargate: Accusations of cash-for-propaganda

The crisis within the Prime Minister’s Office is not limited to the document leak. Eli Feldstein and media advisor Yonatan Urich are also listed as suspects in a separate file known as “Qatargate.”

It is alleged that the two individuals engaged in paid propaganda through media channels to portray Qatar’s role in the hostage negotiations in a positive light.

Although Netanyahu’s office maintains that the Prime Minister and other advisors were unaware of any illegal activity, Feldstein’s latest accusations are escalating tensions within the office.

Jack Chen, Braverman’s lawyer, asserts that his client answered all questions and that the scenarios constructed by Feldstein are baseless.