Israeli Intelligence Eavesdropped on John Kerry During Peace Negotiations
Image by Getty Images
Israeli intelligence eavesdropped on telephone conversations made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, Der Spiegel reported.
In addition to Israel, at least one other intelligence agency also listened in on the phone calls, the German weekly reported in an article to appear in its Monday print edition. A summary was posted to its English-language website on Sunday. The article cites unnamed “reliable sources.”
The intelligence agencies reportedly were able to intercept and listen to the calls because some of the calls made by Kerry during the height of the peace talks last year to high ranking negotiators on both sides were done one regular landlines, instead of on encrypted equipment.
“Revelations of the eavesdropping could further damage already tense relations between the US government and Israel,” der Spiegel observes.
Both the U.S. State Department and Israeli officials declined to comment to Der Spiegel.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
