The US Defense Department, Pentagon, has raised the threat level against Israeli espionage to the highest level, citing increasing counter-intelligence threats from its Middle Eastern ally. Two current and one former US officials confirmed this information. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) issued a new 'counter-intelligence alert' amid rising tensions between Israel and the US over future actions regarding the ongoing war with Iran.
A Pentagon official expressed concern that Israel is specifically targeting top US officials to gather information on internal discussions and decisions regarding the Middle East conflict. The DIA's assessment report includes a seven-page document with a chart, stating that Israel's capability to collect information through human and technical means is at a 'critical level'. The report also mentions specific incidents that have heightened US concerns.
However, an Israeli embassy spokesperson in Washington DC denied these allegations, calling them 'completely false'. The spokesperson stated that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against US institutions or government officials, and its intelligence activities are primarily directed against enemies, not allies. Both the Pentagon and the White House declined to comment on the matter.
Current and former US officials and experts noted that Israel's recent activities have gone beyond normal intelligence operations. They also mentioned that US officials are already taking extra precautions when visiting Israel or meeting with Israeli officials. Despite this, high-level intelligence sharing between the two countries, particularly regarding the Iran war, will not be affected.
US officials often take extra precautions when visiting Israel, using temporary phones and computers, and being extremely cautious when talking in hotel rooms. Emily Harding, Vice President of the Defense and Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), described Israel as having an 'ultra-aggressive intelligence agency' that is highly motivated to know what the US is doing or thinking.
The US and Israel remain close allies, and their intelligence agencies have built a strong working relationship over the past few decades. However, the fear of Israeli espionage amid disagreements over the Iran war poses a risk to the mutual trust between the two countries.
