The Israeli Ministry of Defense has launched an investigation into the use of software called “Pegasus” to spy on journalists, dissidents and national leaders within the NSO company. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told French Defense Minister Flo Lens Pali, President Emmanuel Macron’s phone calls were not infiltrated by the company, and the White House expressed concern about the use of spyware by Israeli companies.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that representatives of the Security Export Control Department arrived at the headquarters of the NSO company on Wednesday to verify the results of the investigation by the international media. The media confirmed that the company’s software named “Pegasus” was used by multiple countries and regimes for espionage against journalists, dissidents, representatives of human rights institutions, and state leaders.
The Israeli government formed a team consisting of experts from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Justice, as well as representatives of Mossad and the National Security Council; to deal with any potential diplomatic impact that may be triggered by media reports.
At the same time, Israel Channel 13 stated that the Israeli Defense Minister told the French Defense Minister in Paris that neither President Macron’s phone nor the phone of French parliament members were tapped by the company.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Minister began his visit to France. He discussed with the French Defense Minister the issue of espionage related to Pegasus software.
The French President once asked Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to clarify the activities of NSO and Pegasus spyware.
American concern
In the United States, the Axios website reported that Brett McGurk, senior adviser to US President Joe Biden on Middle East issues, met with a senior Israeli Ministry of Defense official at the White House and asked him whether the Israeli government’s spyware was being used by Israeli companies. What has been done with journalists, human rights activists and opposition figures in many countries around the world.
According to the website, Israeli officials told Biden’s senior advisers that Israel is taking this issue seriously and is investigating what happened, whether it violated the export license, and whether it needs to change Israel’s policy on exporting such technologies.
Four Democrats in the U.S. Congress have called on the Biden administration to take action against NSO companies and consider sanctions against them, just as they did against Chinese technology companies.
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