Officials Work to Reassure Israel About Leaked Documents

The Biden administration is trying to reassure Israel on security issues after details were leaked in purported secret Pentagon documents suggesting the United States has spied on Israel and other close allies, according to two Israeli officials.

The social media leak included details from consultations between the two countries, which could have a serious impact on how intelligence is shared if Israel's secrets are at risk through a security breach, reports Axios.

U.S. officials are cautioning that some of the information in the leaked documents appears to "have been doctored," but also acknowledged that at least some of the documents appear to be authentic Pentagon intelligence assessments, and the Justice Department is investigating the matter.

The Israeli officials told Axios that U.S. officials have reached out to assure their counterparts in Israel that the leak is being investigated, and one of the officials said that the Pentagon is urging counterparts in Israel's Defense Ministry not to overreact.

Further, State Department officials have reached out to Israeli counterparts to reassure them that the administration is investigating the leak.

State Department deputy principal spokesperson Vedant Patel acknowledged to reporters that U.S. officials from various agencies are engaging with their foreign counterparts to "reassure them of our commitment to safeguarding intelligence and the fidelity of securing our partnerships."

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Chris Meagher also told reporters Monday that conversations about the leaks are taking place.

Israel Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir is visiting Washington on Thursday, where he is expected to discuss the leaks with his counterparts at the Pentagon, according to Israeli officials.

One of the documents that was leaked included a paragraph about Israel and the alleged involvement of senior Mossad officials in protests against the Israeli government's overhaul of its judicial system, reports The Washington Post.

It said that based on signals intelligence, pointing to U.S. spying on Israel, the Mossad members had called on Israeli citizens and the agency's staff to stage protests that would include "several explicit calls to action that decried the Israeli government."

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that Mossad had no involvement in the protest.

"The report that was published overnight in the American press is mendacious and without any foundation whatsoever," the statement read. "The Mossad and its senior officials did not — and do not — encourage agency personnel to join the demonstrations against the government, political demonstrations, or any political activity."

In another top-secret document seen by Axios, a U.S. analysis of Israel's policy on military aid for Ukraine stressed that pressure from the United States could push Israel to send more assistance.

The document contained sensitive details from consultations between the United States and Israel on airstrikes against Iran in Syria, as well as Israel's concerns about military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

Axios was not able to verify the documents independently.

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