Netanyahu denies Politico story that Israel is surveilling Trump administration, says it’s ‘a complete lie’; Washington refrains from rebuking Jerusalem on matter
12 September 2019
The Trump administration has concluded that Israel is responsible for the placement of cellphone surveillance equipment near the White House and at other sensitive locations in Washington, DC, Politico reported Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rejected the accusation as a “complete lie… Not a scintilla of truth.”
A former senior US official with knowledge of the matter said it was assumed that the devices were installed to spy on US President Donald Trump and his top aides, although it was unclear whether the attempt was successful.
In contrast to other instances of foreign spying, Washington has declined to punish or rebuke Jerusalem on the matter, the report said.
According to the report, which was based on conversations with three former senior US officials with knowledge of the case, the small devices, known as “StingRays,” fool cellphones into revealing their location and identifying information by mimicking a cell tower. A “detailed, forensic analysis” by the FBI was said to have revealed that the devices were planted by Israel.
Read more at https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-believes-israel-planted-spy-devices-near-white-house-report
