Eli Feldstein

Eli Feldstein
Born
Eli Feldstein

1992
Petach Tikva
Occupationspokesman
Years active2014 -

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 Israel–Hamas war.

Biography

Feldstein is a graduate of "Yeshiva Or Israel" in Petach Tikva, an ultra-Orthodox-Litvaks yeshiva. In June 2014, he enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and served as 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 June 2017, he was appointed the role of operations officer for the IDF Spokesman's Office.[2]

In July 2019, he was appointed spokesman for the Judea and Samaria Division,[3] being 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 Israel–Hamas war, he was appointed the spokesman for military affairs for the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, entrusted with the connection between 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.[citation needed]

His arrest

On 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.[7][8] The Shin Bet is conducting the investigation with further details of his arrest under a gag order.

According to the reports,[attribution needed] the leak appears to serve Benjamin Netanyahu's political interests,[speculation?] harmed efforts to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and endangered human lives. Another suspect has said 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, allowing him to meet with a lawyer.[10]

Personal life

Feldstein is a bachelor and lives in Bnei Brak. He is the grandson of the ultra-orthodox educator, Rabbi Pesach Feldstein.

References

  1. ^ שלזינגר, אלי (13 July 2016). ""הדובר החרדי של צה"ל" אלי פלדשטיין קיבל דרגות קצונה". בחדרי חרדים. החדרי חרדים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  2. ^ שלזינגר, אלי (26 June 2017). "לראשונה קצין חרדי יפקד על המידע המבצעי בזמן אמת של צהל". בחדרי חרדים. בחדרי חרגים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  3. ^ שלזינגר, אלי (29 July 2019). "בוגר הישיבה המפורסמת קודם משמעותית בצה"ל". בחדרי חרדים. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  4. ^ "7 ברנז'ה: מדובר צה"ל ללשכת השר איתמר בן גביר". Arutz Sheva. December 13, 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  5. ^ מערכת, וואלה חדשות (April 20, 2023). "ארבעה חודשים בלבד הספיקו: דוברו של איתמר בן גביר התפטר". Walla! Communications Ltd. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  6. ^ האוזר טוב, מיכאל. "נתניהו מינה דובר שיתקשר עם הכתבים הצבאיים; מקורות ביטחוניים מאשימים: "הוא בקמפיין"". No. October 21, 2023. haaretz. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Ravid, Barak (2024-11-01). "Classified leaks by detained Netanyahu aide may have undermined hostage operations". Axios. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  9. ^ Fink, Rachel. "New Evidence Reveals Netanyahu's Relentless Efforts to Block Hostage Deal, Report Shows". haaretz. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  10. ^ גליקמן, אביעד (November 13, 2024). "הפרשה הביטחונית: מעצרו של אלי פלדשטיין הוארך עד יום ראשון". Channel 13 News. Retrieved 13 November 2024.