The appropriate security clearance for these individuals was reportedly granted only several months after they had already assumed their positions.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently appointed new spokespersons without screening them under the required security clearance, according to Israel’s state KAN channel, cited by the Al Mayadeen news agency.

After the scandal was exposed, extraordinary measures were imposed, the report stated.

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Each of the newly appointed representatives “was assigned a nearly permanent personal security guard, who accompanied the staff not only within Netanyahu’s office” but throughout his Jerusalem bureau. Their work on computers was also surveilled, “with guards closely monitoring their activity to prevent any unauthorized actions, including the potential leak of classified information.” Some were even accompanied during visits to restrooms, the report added.

KAN noted that the appropriate security clearance for these individuals was granted “only several months after they had already assumed their positions,” Al Mayadeen stated.

Clearance Applied ‘Retroactively’

It also said the clearance “was applied retroactively and followed delayed security screening procedures.”

The report highlighted that in at least one instance, these actions were conducted with the knowledge and approval of Netanyahu’s political spokesperson, Ze’ev Agmon.

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Agmon, who currently serves as Netanyahu’s spokesperson, is expected to be appointed Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office, replacing Tsahi Braverman, according to the report.

Alleged Spy Detained

In a separate report, according to Al Mayadeen, the Israeli Channel 12 revealed on Thursday the arrest of an illegal Israeli Jewish settler accused of espionage operations for Iran.

The suspect, who had reportedly filmed the residence of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, was employed as a maintenance worker in the Israeli army Chief of Staff’s office. The Times of Israel reported that the suspect “worked in maintenance at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv for the last three years, operating in sensitive areas” of the Israel army’s headquarters.

This security breach “further amplified ongoing concerns about internal vulnerabilities within Israel’s military and political establishments,” Al Mayadeen stated.

Staggering Death Toll

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of close to 71,000 Palestinians, with more than 170,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.

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In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(PC, Al Mayadeen)