Pentagon Raises Israeli Spy Threat as NDAA Seeks Deeper Defense Ties

from Military (dot) com

The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency recently elevated Israel's counterintelligence threat designation to “critical,” the highest level in its system.

The assessment was raised in recent weeks, though officials reportedly did not disclose the exact date of the change. The designation became public June 6. The disclosure comes as Congress considers legislation that would significantly expand defense technology cooperation between the United States and Israel.

U.S. officials reportedly believe Israeli intelligence services have intensified efforts to collect information regarding internal American deliberations involving Iran and conflicts in the Middle East. Officials told NBC that those concerns prompted the Defense Intelligence Agency to raise the threat designation. Israeli officials denied the allegations and reiterated that Israel does not conduct espionage operations against the United States.

The White House and Israel have denied the allegations described in those reports.

The reported assessment has drawn attention because it became public while lawmakers are debating a provision in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would deepen defense technology cooperation and industrial integration between the two countries.

The reported designation does not mean Israel is considered an enemy nation. Rather, it reflects the Pentagon’s assessment of the counterintelligence risk posed by potential intelligence-collection activities... 

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