New Delhi: America and Israel have been considered close allies for decades, but growing differences over Iran have now reached intelligence matters. A new report claims that concern about Israel’s intelligence activities has increased in America. Senior officials are being advised to take extra precautions to avoid possible surveillance.
DIA increased the threat level
According to NBC News, the US Defense Intelligence Agency has increased the counter intelligence threat related to Israel to critical. This means that Israel can target American officials at any time. This step was taken at a time when differences over Iran policy are deepening between President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
American officials say that Israel has always been aggressive in gathering information. Therefore, senior officials traveling to Israel are advised to use burner phones, makeshift laptops and special communication protocols. Former diplomats say that sensitive conversations are best avoided in hotel rooms or in unsafe places.
What was said in the seven-page report?
The DIA has prepared a seven-page internal assessment that describes Israel’s espionage and technical surveillance capabilities as critical. However, officials did not clarify whether any specific espionage incident has come to light recently or not.
Emily Harding, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that Israeli intelligence is extremely aggressive and has a special interest in America’s Middle East strategies.
Israel and White House denied
The Israeli government has completely rejected these allegations. A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington said that Israel does not spy on American institutions or officials.
Their intelligence activities are focused not against allies but against adversaries. The White House also termed the report as false and said that it has been prepared by quoting people who do not have complete knowledge of the internal process.
Distance increased on Iran policy
It is noteworthy that this dispute has come to light at a time when Trump is trying to reach a diplomatic agreement with Iran, while Netanyahu is in favor of resuming military action. The recent phone conversation between the two leaders has indicated that the difference in priorities between America and Israel regarding the Middle East is increasing.
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