Eliezer (Eli) Feldstein (Hebrew: אלי פלדשטיין born about 1992) is Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman for military affairs. He was interrogated and arrested on suspicion of security offenses during the Iron Swords War
Eli Feldstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eli Feldstein 1992 |
| Occupation | spokesman |
| Years active | 2014 - |
Biography
editFeldstein is a graduate of "Yeshiva Or Israel" in Petach Tikva which is an ultra-Orthodox-Litvaks yeshiva. In June 2014, he enlisted to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and served in the spokesperson of the Personnel Directorate, where he was responsible for liaison with the ultra-orthodox media [1]. In July 2016, he completed an officers course, and was appointed chief of staff to the head of the Planning Division in the Planning Directorate in the IDF. In June 2017, he was appointed an operations officer at the IDF Spokesman's Office.[2]
In July 2019, he was appointed spokesman for the Judea and Samaria Division.[3] Relieved from regular service with the rank of captain. In December 2022, he was appointed spokesman for the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir,[4] until he resigned in April 2023.[5]
In October 2023, on the fourth day of the Iron Swords War, he was appointed the spokesman for military affairs of the prime minister of Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu, and was entrusted with the connection between the military correspondents and the Bureau of Netanyahu.[6] He failed a security investigation conducted by the Shin Bet and therefore was not officially employed as a civil servant or as an external consultant.
His arrest
editOn November 3, 2024, it was announced that Feldstein was arrested, along with two other suspects, on suspicion of crimes of grave harm to state security for illegally removing classified documents from IDF systems, and leaking sensitive security information from the IDF to foreign media, during the Iron Swords War [7][8]. A gag order applies to some of the details of his arrest. The Shin Bet is conducting the investigation
According to the reports, the leak appears to serve Benjamin Netanyahu's political interests, harmed efforts to free the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and endangered human lives. One of the other suspects in the case claimed through his lawyer, that he passed the information on to Feldstein to inform the Prime Minister.[9] On November 13, 2024, the court extended Feldstein's detention until November 17, 2024, and he was allowed to meet with a lawyer.[10]
Personal life
editFeldstein is bachelor, lives in Bnei Brak. He is the grandson of the ultra-orthodox educator, Rabbi Pesach Feldstein.
References
edit- ^ שלזינגר, אלי (13 July 2016). ""הדובר החרדי של צה"ל" אלי פלדשטיין קיבל דרגות קצונה". בחדרי חרדים. החדרי חרדים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ שלזינגר, אלי (26 June 2017). "לראשונה קצין חרדי יפקד על המידע המבצעי בזמן אמת של צהל". בחדרי חרדים. בחדרי חרגים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ שלזינגר, אלי (29 July 2019). "בוגר הישיבה המפורסמת קודם משמעותית בצה"ל". בחדרי חרדים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "7 ברנז'ה: מדובר צה"ל ללשכת השר איתמר בן גביר". Arutz Sheva. December 13, 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ מערכת, וואלה חדשות (April 20, 2023). "ארבעה חודשים בלבד הספיקו: דוברו של איתמר בן גביר התפטר". Walla! Communications Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ האוזר טוב, מיכאל. "נתניהו מינה דובר שיתקשר עם הכתבים הצבאיים; מקורות ביטחוניים מאשימים: "הוא בקמפיין"". No. October 21, 2023. haaretz. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Several suspects arrested amid probe of PM's office over alleged classified intel leak". The Times of Israel. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (2024-11-01). "Classified leaks by detained Netanyahu aide may have undermined hostage operations". Axios. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Fink, Rachel. "New Evidence Reveals Netanyahu's Relentless Efforts to Block Hostage Deal, Report Shows". haaretz. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ גליקמן, אביעד (November, 13 2024). "הפרשה הביטחונית: מעצרו של אלי פלדשטיין הוארך עד יום ראשון". Channel 13 News. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)