Is Israel Spying On Its Close Ally? Pentagon Report Sparks Concern In US

New Delhi: The US and Israel have been close allies for decades, but growing differences regarding the conflict with Iran now appear to be extending into the realms of security and intelligence. A new report claims that concerns within the US regarding Israeli intelligence activities have risen, and senior US officials are being advised to exercise extra caution to avoid potential surveillance.

According to an NBC News report, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has recently raised the counter-intelligence threat level associated with Israel to "critical", implying that Israel could potentially target US officials. The report notes that this decision comes at a time of escalating differences between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over policy regarding Iran.

US officials state that Israel has long been considered highly aggressive in gathering information. Consequently, senior US officials visiting Israel are often advised to use burner phones, temporary computers, and special communication protocols. Many former diplomats and intelligence officials say that discussions on sensitive topics are also avoided in hotel rooms or other insecure locations.

Has any specific incident of espionage come to light?

According to the report, the DIA has prepared a seven-page internal assessment document describing Israel's espionage and technical surveillance capabilities as being at a "critical level." However, officials did not clarify whether any specific incident of espionage had actually occurred.

US defense and security experts believe that Israeli intelligence agencies take a keen interest in Washington's decisions and strategies concerning the Middle East. Emily Harding, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated that the Israeli intelligence apparatus is "hyper-aggressive" and deeply interested in knowing what the US is planning. Israel Rejects Pentagon Allegations

What stand has Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu taken?

Benjamin Netanyahu's administration in Israel has categorically rejected these allegations. A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington stated that Israel does not spy on US institutions or government officials. They maintained that Israeli intelligence activities are focused on adversaries rather than allied nations.

The White House also dismissed the report as inaccurate, stating that it was based on information from individuals lacking full knowledge of internal processes. This controversy has emerged at a time when strategic differences between Trump and Netanyahu regarding Iran and Lebanon are becoming increasingly apparent.

While Trump is pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran, Netanyahu is reportedly in favor of resuming military action. Recent reports of heated telephone conversations between the two leaders also suggest a widening gap between US and Israeli priorities regarding the Middle East.