Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Israel says security ties with U.S. strong
Defense minister responds to Trump’s disclosure of classified information said to be provided by Israel.
JERUSALEM — Israeli officials on Wednesday sought to downplay any damage caused by President Donald Trump’s disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials that was provided by Israel, and lauded the robust security cooperation with the United States just days before the president is due to arrive for a state visit.
Despite fears that the leak could endanger a valuable Israeli intelligence asset within the Islamic State group, officials stressed that nothing would change as a result of the breach.
“The security relationship between Israel and our great ally the United States is deep, meaningful and unprecedented in its scope and contribution to our strength,” Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted.
Israel has yet to acknowledge claims from U.S. officials that it was the source of the highly classified information about an Islamic State plot that Trump divulged to Russian diplomats.
Former Israeli intelligence officials, however, expressed grave concern over the reports. “What Trump did is liable to cause heavy damage to Israel’s security, as well as the source, and U.S. security,” said Danny Yatom, a former chief of the Mossad, Israel’s international spy agency, in an interview with a Tel Aviv radio station. “Especially if this information reaches our good friends the Iranians.”
Speaking to Israel Radio, Ofer Shelach, an opposition lawmaker who is a member of the parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committee, said intelligence and security officials must exercise extra caution when dealing with Russia because of its direct involvement in the Middle East and alliances with Israeli foes.