Scandal in Netanyahu’s office: extortion, intimidation and espionage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The sources told the Israeli newspaper Idiot Ahronoth that the office of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu may be involved in intimidating and extorting a military officer to obtain classified documents.

Two senior officials in Netanyahu’s office are being investigated for their involvement in obtaining and publishing classified surveillance footage linked to a senior military officer.

According to the sources, an investigation is underway to determine whether this is another incident where senior officials disregarded procedures, instructed subordinates to act against the rules and violated principles of information security and confidentiality.

Sources shared: “Spies recruited by Netanyahu’s office in Israeli military stealing classified documents and transferring them to the office followed by false media publications to serve the anti-hostage deal narrative.”

This could explain how officials gained access to some of the most sensitive documents and records, the sources said.

The newspaper found that two senior officials in the prime minister’s office were found to have embarrassing personal documents related to a senior Israeli army officer. The paper noted that Eliezer Feldstein, a former spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, suspected of leaking classified documents to the press, had previously been discharged from the Israeli army while serving in the reserves at the start of the Gaza war.

According to the report, Feldstein, who was arrested along with three others, including a security official, was named Netanyahu’s official military and security spokesman after the Oct. 7 attack, a position that had not previously existed.

Sources close to the investigation said the implications of the leak are very serious – compromising vital intelligence sources, threatening lives and potentially jeopardizing ongoing efforts to rescue Israeli prisoners. The short-term and long-term damage to Israel’s security infrastructure is a major concern for investigators.

Israeli courts have also said that the publication of the documents would pose a “serious threat to the security of the state” and could affect the ability of security services to repatriate hostages, one of the goals of the war.

Political drama

The ongoing political drama surrounding Netanyahu, such as the firing of Yoav Gallant, is framed by two key investigations by the Shin Bet and the police.

In addition, a second investigation into the destruction of classified war-related documents was recently announced to the public. This investigation appears to focus on attempts to alter, delete or remove records, documents and testimony from important government agencies. It was previously reported that Netanyahu’s former military secretary, Major General Avi Gil, filed an official complaint with the Attorney General regarding these actions.

At the time, there were also reports that, under the direction of the prime minister’s wife, Netanyahu’s staff raided archives and files, collecting and organizing material – potentially to control or manipulate public narratives. According to Maarivthe two investigations are expected to merge, revealing a disturbing picture of political interference at the highest level, damaging the integrity of Israel and its security apparatus.

AL MAYADEEN | MIDDLE EAST MONITOR

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