Wiretapped: Israel Eavesdropped on John Kerry in Mideast Talks/Der Spiegel Germany

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Our greatest "ally" in the ME. ?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/israel-intelligence-eavesdropped-on-phone-calls-by-john-kerry-a-984246.html


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.

[martolizo]

1. that's ok

They are our allies.

[DirkGently]

2. Suppose we could get outraged, given we'd never do such a ... never mind.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. I'm shocked;

shocked, I tell you.

Maybe we an get Brennan to severely chastise them for this.

[DirkGently]

5. Probably not done "wittingly," eh?

Makes everything okay, I'm told.

[LittleBlue]

4. Doesn't matter. Obama won't do anything

Bibi has basically told Obama that he can go f*** himself. He openly campaigned for Romney. He insulted and now spied on our Secretary of State.

As usual, nothing will happen because Obama fears confrontation. In response, Obama will probably just send the next batch of missiles or money to Israel and smile while Nuttyahoo laughs at him.

[TheKentuckian]

6. Oh, were we on no spizzes FOR REAL with them unlike with everyone else in the world?

[Fred Sanders]

7. Now Israel is giving the finger and spitting on it's to the world face, Kerry. America IS weak.

The "everybody is doing it so no big deal" is weak, guys, better Luntzify it better than that.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. Israel is just following its own self-interest

Israel and America are not the same country, no matter what our media try to make us believe (like conservatives on Fox News lamenting that Netanyahu is not our President). I would expect any country to do no less than spy in its own self-interest and I'm sure American intelligence services are fully aware of this and caution our officials to measure their words even in private or secret conversations. In some cases, it might be true that the U.S. hopes Israel is listening in and releases information purposely. I don't think this is an example of Israel's ingratitude, as their primary obligation is to Israel and their own people, not to America. If there's any example of ingratitude that disappoints me about Israel it's the reports that almost all Israelis hate Obama and constantly deride him. Obama has been unfailingly supportive of Israel. In fact, it would be in Israel's best interest to hear more tough love from its closest ally. Unfortunately Obama has hesitated to criticize Israel to any degree and instead gets criticized by Israeli society.

[BrotherIvan]

9. Doesn't the NSA share info with Israel?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/11/nsa-americans-personal-data-israel-documents

Do the math.