NYT: Israel allegedly spied on US officials, including Witkoff

Israel is conducting surveillance of phone conversations involving US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, The New York Times reports, citing US intelligence assessments.

It is suggesting that Israeli intelligence agencies may have begun monitoring senior American officials, including Witkoff.

According to the report, in addition to Witkoff, Israel may also have targeted Elbridge Colby and one of his key deputies, Michael DiMino.

The NYT writes that another intelligence assessment from the Pentagon’s intelligence and military agencies states that the counterintelligence threat level posed by Israel has been raised from high to critical.

The document, prepared with participation from the Counterintelligence and Security Agency, outlines alleged Israeli efforts to monitor US military and government officials.

The intensity of Israeli intelligence collection targeting senior US officials during Donald Trump’s second presidency has been described by a source cited in the article as unbalanced.

The report also notes that US personnel apply various security protocols to protect mobile phones and electronic devices, especially when traveling to Israel, though details were not disclosed.

The Israeli news outlet N12, citing the Israeli Embassy in Washington, denied the allegations, saying that Israel’s intelligence efforts are directed at its enemies, not its allies.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov