The former chief of Israel top security agency claimed on Friday that the United States has eavesdropped on Israeli officials, according to a Hebrew-language report in Israel’s Maariv newspaper.
Former Mossad Chief Danny Yotam told Maariv, "the Americans are also listening to us," according to a translation of his remarks published by the Times of Israel.
Yotam’s remarks come just a day after media reports revealed that the National Security Agency (NSA) has spied on at least 35 world leaders, including many from countries allied with America.
Yotam said that the United States spies on its enemies and friends alike.
"The U.S. doesn’t heed anyone …" he was quoted as saying. "It is entirely possible that this also happening by us, because every time the Americans think they need to listen to something, they do it."
The United States is particularly interested in conversations regarding Iran and the Middle East peace process, according to Yotam:
Yotam explains that there are two issues around which the Americans are likely spying on Israel — negotiations with Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear program. "It is important for them to know what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu really thinks … they have interests here because they want to be able to contend with Israeli claims that arise when talking about these issues," the ex-Mossad chief explains.
"The Americans rightly see themselves as a superpower, but wrongly feel that they can do whatever they want, including the eavesdropping."