
Espionage Claims Threaten U.S.-Israel Ties as Reports Allege Surveillance of Trump Officials
New reports from the United States have raised serious allegations that Israel has intensified intelligence-gathering efforts targeting senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration, claims that Israeli officials are strongly denying.
According to reports cited by Israeli media, American intelligence agencies believe Israel recently increased efforts to obtain information about high-ranking U.S. officials, sparking concerns within parts of the American security establishment.
A report in The New York Times stated that U.S. intelligence assessments allegedly point to surveillance activities involving several senior officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, and his deputy, Michael DiMino.
According to the report, one intelligence assessment was prepared after American security personnel stationed in Israel reportedly discovered software installed on their devices that investigators suspected may have been used for monitoring purposes. Another assessment allegedly claimed that U.S. military intelligence officials recently elevated the threat level posed by Israeli intelligence activities from “high” to “critical.”
Earlier, NBC News reported that concern has been growing within the Pentagon over alleged Israeli efforts to gain insight into internal administration deliberations, particularly amid policy disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem regarding Iran, the regional conflict, and broader Middle East strategy.
Israeli officials swiftly rejected the allegations. In a statement, Israel’s embassy in Washington described the claims as “completely false” and insisted that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against American officials or members of the U.S. government.
The embassy further stated that Israel’s intelligence resources are focused on hostile actors and security threats, not on allied nations.
The reports emerge at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israel relations. While the two countries continue to maintain close military and intelligence cooperation, tensions have surfaced in recent months over the handling of Iran, regional security challenges, and aspects of the Trump administration’s Middle East policies.
If the allegations gain traction in Washington, they could add a new layer of strain to one of America’s most important strategic alliances, even as Israeli officials continue to categorically deny any wrongdoing.
{Matzav.com}