US spied on Netanyahu’s anti Iran deal lobbying — report

[geek tragedy]

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-spied-on-netanyahu-for-info-on-anti-iran-deal-lobbying-report/

According to the report, the White House learned through the spying how “how Mr. Netanyahu and his advisers had leaked details of the US-Iran negotiations—learned through Israeli spying operations—to undermine the talks; coordinated talking points with Jewish-American groups against the deal; and asked undecided lawmakers what it would take to win their votes.”

...

Though Obama promised in 2013 to curb American spying on foreign leaders, following revelations of NSA spying on allies leaked by whisteblower Edward Snowden, an official said the idea of stopping tracking Netanyahu was barely entertained.

“Going dark on Bibi? Of course we wouldn’t do that,” the paper quoted as senior US administration official saying, using a nickname for the prime minister.

The Israeli government has richly earned this kind of treatment.

[comradebillyboy]

1. With allies like Bibi who needs enemies...

[Little Tich]

2. I think Obama has a right to know what those who plot against the US government are up to. n/t

[aranthus]

3. You do realize

that the US spies on everyone or almost everyone, and that all or almost all of everyone else spies on us? I understand that the anti-Israel crowd needs to always find some way to spin news to make Israel look bad, but this is reaching, don't you think?

[King_David]

4. Of course they realize that..

But hey anything to make Israel look bad.

[aranthus]

7. It's pretty transparent. n/t

[geek tragedy]

5. I don't see this as making Israel look bad, so much as it shows

the reality of the relationship

[aranthus]

6. Bull.

If you didn't think it put Israel in a bad light, then you wouldn't have written that the Israeli government deserves this treatment. Especially true if you realized that this treatment is par for the course between virtually all states that can afford an intelligence service. But you think Israel deserves it, and not say Germany? Of course you use this to put Israel in a bad light.

[geek tragedy]

8. How much spying on the German embassy do you think goes on? nt

[aranthus]

9. We got caught spying on Merkel remember?

All countries spy on each other to the extent of their abilities and needs. That's why your post was of little import except for you to say that Israel deserved it.

[geek tragedy]

11. it was a diplomatic crisis and Obama promised to stop the spying when it was Germany.

When it's Israel, different story.

[King_David]

10. Seriously? Germany is your example?

Angela Merkel's call to Obama: are you bugging my mobile phone?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/23/us-monitored-angela-merkel-german

[geek tragedy]

12. Would you be shocked to know that the US was bugging Bibi's calls? nt

[King_David]

13. If they can bug the calls of the most powerful leader of Europe

Why would it shock me they were bugging Bibis calls ?

Israel and Germany both among the most important allies of the USA .

[geek tragedy]

14. Except it was a scandal when we did it to Germany.

Because Germany is an important NATO ally.

When we piss the Israelis off, it may or may not be a domestic political problem, but it's never a diplomatic crisis. Because we don't care what they think outside of domestic political considerations.

[King_David]

15. You trying to peddle that same meme again...

But nobody is buying it.

Ask the Democratic Party candidates how important the USA relationship with Israel is and if anyone of them would agree with your OTT rhetoric on Israel.

Keep trying though but your anti Israel rhetoric is 180 degrees of that of the Democratic Party candidates or reps.


Keep trying...

[geek tragedy]

16. you're confirming my point that Israel is a political issue in US domestic politics rather than

being an important ally.

Why don't we have a mutual self-defense treaty with Israel?

[King_David]

17. Keep trying ...

Why don't we have a Tel Aviv hotel in Vegas like Paris does ? goddamitt!