Marco Rubio. Image by Getty Images

(JTA) — Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has made seemingly contradictory statements about the seriousness of reported U.S. spying on Israel.

Democrats have been eager to point out the apparent discrepancy.

In the aftermath of the Wall Street Journal revelation last month that the National Security Agency eavesdropped on Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio, speaking on Fox News, offered a nuanced take.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“This is one of those complicated issues when it comes to intelligence matters,” he said. “We have to be very careful about how we discuss it, especially since there’s a press report that I don’t think gets the entire story.”

Rubio was less guarded in remarks to Rep. Trey Gowdy, T-S.C., overheard by Breitbart in Iowa.

“We spy on everyone. That’s the nature of intelligence. It’s more complicated than the [WSJ] story makes it seem,” he reportedly said.

Indeed, Rubio would be aware of the pervasiveness of U.S. spying on foreign leaders — he’s on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

So why in listing the purported sins of President Barack Obama in a recent campaign ad does Rubio include: “He spies on Israel”?

JTA reached out to Rubio’s campaign and has not heard back.

Ron Kampeas is JTA’s Washington bureau chief. Follow him on Twitter at @kampeas.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount