Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused police of holding two aides “hostage” Monday after they were arrested over their alleged engagement in illicit ties with Qatar while working for the premier.Critics pounced on the premier for using the phrase “held hostage” to describe the arrest of Qatargate suspects Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein,

Israeli police have announced the arrest of two top aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of the ongoing ‘Qatargate’ investigation into suspected unlawful ties between Netanyahu’s inner circle and Qatar.

Jonathan Urich was arrested amid increasing allegations that Netanyahu’s inner circle was involved in the transfer of money from Qatar, a key backer of Hamas.