Israel Tapped John Kerry's Phone

Somewhere, Angela Merkel is smiling
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 3, 2014 12:37 PM CDT
Israel Tapped John Kerry's Phone
John Kerry speaks on his phone while his plane refuels at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.   (AP Photo/Lucas Jackson, Pool)

It seems that people who live in glass houses shouldn't spy on cell phones: During the frenetic and doomed Mideast peace talks last year, John Kerry was furiously working the phones to both Israel and the Palestinians—and as der Spiegel reports in an exclusive that cites "reliable sources," he had an audience. It seems that at the height, Kerry made some calls using unencrypted satellite phones, and Israeli intelligence—along with "at least one other intelligence service"— listened in and used the intel to their advantage.

The talks fell apart in April, but Israelis may not have liked what they heard: As Spiegel notes, relations between Benjamin Netanyahu and Kerry appear to have soured, and Kerry is taking no small amount of criticism from Israel in the current crisis. Neither the State Department nor Jerusalem would comment. But then again, it's not that unusual, right, Mr. Secretary? (More cell phones stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X