Israel Spied on Iran Nuclear Talks With U.S.

[emperus]

Ally’s snooping upset White House because information was used to lobby Congress to try to sink a deal
...

The espionage didn’t upset the White House as much as Israel’s sharing of inside information with U.S. lawmakers and others to drain support from a high-stakes deal intended to limit Iran’s nuclear program, current and former officials said.
“It is one thing for the U.S. and Israel to spy on each other. It is another thing for Israel to steal U.S. secrets and play them back to U.S. legislators to undermine U.S. diplomacy,” said a senior U.S. official briefed on the matter.

http://www.wsj.com/article_email/israel-spied-on-iran-talks-1427164201-lMyQjAxMTA1MTI0MzIyNDM0Wj

Thoughts? I wonder who the Israelis shared the information with and what those people thought about how the information was garnered. I also wonder if any of those people thought to inform the White House or US Intelligence that the US was being spied on. It also gives more context to the invitation between Boehner and Netanyahu.

 

[fskimospy]

Thoughts? I wonder who they shared the information with and what they thought on how the information was garnered. It also gives more context to the invitation between Boehner and Netanyahu.

Friends spy on each other all the time, it's part of the game. What I'm not aware of happening is friends spying on each other and then attempting to use that information to sow internal opposition against the current administration.

Imagine if we learned that Iran was doing something like this.

 

[emperus]

Friends spy on each other all the time, it's part of the game. What I'm not aware of happening is friends spying on each other and then attempting to use that information to sow internal opposition against the current administration.

Imagine if we learned that Iran was doing something like this.

My issuing isn't the spying. My issue is the spying with the intent to cause internal opposition as you said. I also have an issue with those that received the information. I wonder if they warned the administration that they were being spied on.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Well, it's Israel and it was done in a way to "screw Obama" so I'm guessing the usual outragers on this kind of thing will support it completely.

 

[ivwshane]

It sounds like Israel doesn't value one of its biggest allies. Sounds like it might be time to withdraw some support.

 

[Newell Steamer]

It's OK, because Israel is doing it.

And, if you don't like it, you are totes anti-semitic.

 

[maddogchen]

They were spying on Iran.

All these other countries just happened to be in the same room.

Its no biggie 😛

 

[Mxylplyx]

It is about time that Israel get slapped back down into their rightful place, which is their collective noses planted firmly up our ass. Netanyahu's thirst for power has done more damage to the Isreali state than Iran ever could.

 

[fskimospy]

My issuing isn't the spying. My issue is the spying with the intent to cause internal opposition as you said. I also have an issue with those that received the information. I wonder if they warned the administration that they were being spied on.

If Israel was smart they framed the conversation in a way that would imply that they got it from means other than spying on us so congressional Republicans would have some plausible deniability. This is by far the most likely case.

If they did know that a foreign nation was conducting espionage against the US and did not disclose that to the relevant agencies that honestly seems relatively close to treason. Yeah I know people throw that word around a lot, but what else would covering up espionage against the US be?

 

[master_shake_]

It's OK, because Israel is doing it.

And, if you don't like it, you are totes anti-semitic.

this.

 

[touchstone]

every last republican that conspired with a foreign power to undermine our sitting president should be charged with sedition. i just hope the massive israeli lobby doesnt prevent obama from withdrawing support

 

[norseamd]

What are the prospects for charges of treason for this?

 

[irishScott]

Wow, fuck you Israel. I say we sick the NSA on Israel and do the same. Might as well make them good for something.

 

[cubby1223]

Wow, fuck you Israel. I say we sick the NSA on Israel and do the same. Might as well make them good for something.

Meh.

What Israel is doing is what most other nations do too. Has the U.S. ever tried to spy on other countries and use that information to influence political action?

If you're going to be pissed off, be pissed off at U.S. politicians who played along.

As for the actual substance of the deal, I reserve judgment until such time we are made aware of what this deal actually is.

 

[cubby1223]

Call my the cynicist when it comes to U.S. politics, I'm picturing teams of pollsters running numbers estimating probable outcomes in pushing Israel as a defining wedge issue for the next election cycle, advising our politicians on both sides to what degree should they react to these situations 😛

 

[norseamd]

What Israel is doing is what most other nations do too. Has the U.S. ever tried to spy on other countries and use that information to influence political action?

The Israelis have not given any legal or moral contract that they will conduct their life without treason or major detriment to America. They are of moral fault for some of this but not in the ways many might consider. The American congressmen however might have done treason and they need to be dealt with in the conduct of importance and justice with the death penalty given if justified.

 

[norseamd]

Call my the cynicist when it comes to U.S. politics, I'm picturing teams of pollsters running numbers estimating probable outcomes in pushing Israel as a defining wedge issue for the next election cycle, advising our politicians on both sides to what degree should they react to these situations

You know this is certainly the truth now. However even as I was starting to respond to your thoughts I thought about Kissinger and what he is thinking on this situation right now.

 

[cubby1223]

The Israelis have not given any legal or moral contract that they will conduct their life without treason or major detriment to America. They are of moral fault for some of this but not in the ways many might consider. The American congressmen however might have done treason and they need to be dealt with in the conduct of importance and justice with the death penalty given if justified.

It's not treason on the part of U.S. representatives.

Going to the definitions of the words, treason is betrayal of one's country. Betrayal is putting in this case the U.S. in danger by giving information to an enemy.

What the U.S. Representatives have been doing is allowing the Israeli government a voice to supply information to them. I'm not aware of any information flowing in the reverse direction. And that open letter a few weeks ago was information already in the public domain.

There will be no charges of treason.

 

[pcgeek11]

They were spying on Iran.

All these other countries just happened to be in the same room.

Its no biggie 😛

That is the correct answer. We shouldn't be laying with dogs.

 

[pcgeek11]

every last republican that conspired with a foreign power to undermine our sitting president should be charged with sedition. i just hope the massive israeli lobby doesnt prevent obama from withdrawing support

What are the prospects for charges of treason for this?

Nope. None.

All they did was inform the Iranians that the deal not endorsed by Congress could be overturned with a stroke of a pen after a new election. No treason found.

 

[cubby1223]

You know this is certainly the truth now. However even as I was starting to respond to your thoughts I thought about Kissinger and what he is thinking on this situation right now.

I had to look that up, Kissinger seems to believe this administration has already determined Isreal's survival as a nation as a lost cause not worth pursuing. (of course I could be wrong, it's late and I'm quick skimming articles)

 

[norseamd]

What the U.S. Representatives have been doing is allowing the Israeli government a voice to supply information to them. I'm not aware of any information flowing in the reverse direction. And FYI, that open letter a few weeks ago was information already in the public domain.

They knew of compromises of American security and did not give this intelligence to the rest of the American government thus compromising American security and diplomacy while also supporting the subversive operations of another country against America.

THAT IS TREASON.

Now that is if the implied activities are true however I doubt the White House said anything without verified proof from our intelligence operations.

 

[Bitek]

This situation is just getting worse and worse.

It's now undeniable how epically foolish the Congressional Republicans have been in their actions. This is exactly why partisan showmanship must stay out of foreign policy in this way.

Israel had been spying on us (not surprising) but then took the information to launch a disinformation psyops campaign against us using the willing fools in the Congress. All with the intent of destroying peace talks, whose only realistic alternative is bloody warfare.
Who's troops and Treasury will bleed for this? Ours, not theirs.

Outrageous. You right wing idiots, what are you doing?!

 

[irishScott]

Meh.

What Israel is doing is what most other nations do too. Has the U.S. ever tried to spy on other countries and use that information to influence political action?

If you're going to be pissed off, be pissed off at U.S. politicians who played along.

As for the actual substance of the deal, I reserve judgment until such time we are made aware of what this deal actually is.

Oh I'm plenty pissed at them too, I'd love to see them brought up on charges of treason. Sadly I just assume most US politicians are untouchable from a legal perspective.

Democrats, please act Republican for once and press the treason charges. Even if it won't stick, just do it.

 

[HomerJS]

Oh I'm plenty pissed at them too, I'd love to see them brought up on charges of treason. Sadly I just assume most US politicians are untouchable from a legal perspective.

Democrats, please act Republican for once and press the treason charges. Even if it won't stick, just do it.

Start with Tom Cotton and all the dupes who signed the letter

I wondered a few weeks ago how Fox News would spin this. Watched Sun to see.

Chris Wallace get on and says "forget what Bibi did now about Obama not letting him off the hook and not acting like an adult". What fucking nerve. They would rather side with Bibi, Putting and anyone else besides our own President.

I'm glad Obama is essentially saying, "Kiss my ass, Bibi" I think Obama forced the apology from Bibi to the Arabs for the election racist baiting.

Can Democrats hold hearings or are Chairman's the only one who can do this?