Wiretapped: Israel Eavesdropped on John Kerry in Mideast Talks
AP
US Secretary of State John Kerry has been the victim of eavesdropping by Israeli intelligence.
New information indicates that
Israeli intelligence eavesdropped on telephone conversations by US
Secretary of State John Kerry. Sources told SPIEGEL the government then
used the information obtained from the calls during negotiations in the
Mideast conflict.
SPIEGEL has learned from reliable sources that Israeli intelligence
eavesdropped on US Secretary of State John Kerry during Middle East
peace negotiations. In addition to the Israelis, at least one other
intelligence service also listened in as Kerry mediated last year
between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab states, several
intelligence service sources told SPIEGEL. Revelations of the
eavesdropping could further damage already tense relations between the
US government and Israel.
During the peak stage of peace talks last year, Kerry spoke regularly
with high-ranking negotiating partners in the Middle East. At the time,
some of these calls were not made on encrypted equipment, but instead on
normal telephones, with the conversations transmitted by satellite.
Intelligence agencies intercepted some of those calls. The government in
Jerusalem then used the information obtained in international
negotiations aiming to reach a diplomatic solution in the Middle East.
In the current Gaza conflict, the Israelis have massively criticized
Kerry, with a few ministers indirectly calling on him to withdraw from
peace talks. Both the US State Department and the Israeli authorities
declined to comment.
Only one week ago, Kerry flew to Israel to mediate between the conflict parties, but the Israelis brusquely rejected a draft proposal for a cease-fire. The plan reportedly didn't include any language demanding that Hamas abandon its rocket arsenal and destroy its tunnel system. Last year, Kerry undertook intensive diplomatic efforts to seek a solution in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but they ultimately failed. Since those talks, relations between Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been tense.
Still, there are no doubts about fundamental support for Israel on the part of the United States. On Friday, the US Congress voted to help fund Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system to the tune of $225 million (around €168 million).
ANZEIGE
Only one week ago, Kerry flew to Israel to mediate between the conflict parties, but the Israelis brusquely rejected a draft proposal for a cease-fire. The plan reportedly didn't include any language demanding that Hamas abandon its rocket arsenal and destroy its tunnel system. Last year, Kerry undertook intensive diplomatic efforts to seek a solution in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but they ultimately failed. Since those talks, relations between Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been tense.
Still, there are no doubts about fundamental support for Israel on the part of the United States. On Friday, the US Congress voted to help fund Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system to the tune of $225 million (around €168 million).
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