Israel's Agriculture and Raw Food Security Minister, Avi Dichter, has advised that Israeli staffers and aides should not have interactions with Qatar, except in negotiations to return Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Dichter stated that while Qatar is not an enemy state, it is not friendly. He also commented on recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticizing the 'Qatargate' investigations and accusations, denouncing the accusation that the investigations are politically motivated. The 'Qatargate' scandal involves meetings between Qatari lobbyists and senior Israeli officials, arranged by a former employee of a PR firm and close associate of Urich. The revelations have raised questions about previous claims made by Urich.