Former Netanyahu aide leaked secret nuclear project with U.S.
PM leaves for Washington in shadow of two diplomatic crises – one with the United States that revolves around Netanyahu's former national security adviser Uzi Arad, the other with Russia.
By Aluf Benn, Amos Harel and Yossi MelmanPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will head to Washington today in the shadow of two diplomatic crises - one with the United States and the other with Russia.
Netanyahu will address both houses of Congress on Tuesday. This evening, U.S. President Barack Obama will give a major address on the Middle East in light of the revolutions underway there. As of last night, however, it was still not clear whether that speech would also offer an Obama plan for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former national security adviser Uzi Arad. |
| Photo by: Moshe Milner |
The crisis with Russia came to light yesterday, when it emerged that the Israel Defense Forces attache in Moscow had been arrested and deported last week due to allegations of espionage. Col. Vadim Leiderman was arrested at a meeting in a restaurant on May 12. The IDF later released a statement saying the espionage allegations had been thoroughly investigated and turned out to be unfounded.
This is not the first time Israeli defense officials in Russia have been arrested under mysterious circumstances, in breach of their diplomatic immunity, and Israeli officials said they are still unsure about the reasons for the latest incident.
The crisis with Washington is of longer standing, and revolves around Netanyahu's former national security adviser, Uzi Arad.
Arad announced his resignation in February. But earlier this week, it turned out that he was actually fired, after the Shin Bet security service concluded he was behind a leak that caused a major crisis with the Obama administration.
The leak, published by several media organizations last July, asserted that the United States and Israel had reached substantive understandings in secret talks on the civilian nuclear issue. Washington was furious and demanded an investigation into the source of the leak. Netanyahu complied, and the culprit eventually proved to be Arad.
The secret talks took place in June 2010, shortly after Obama infuriated Israel by backing a resolution on a nuclear-free Middle East at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference. A month later, reports on the secret talks appeared simultaneously in Haaretz, on Channel 2 television and on Army Radio. According to these reports, the United States had given Israel unequivocal guarantees that its "strategic capabilities" in the nuclear field would be preserved and strengthened.
An outraged Washington demanded that the leaker be identified. Netanyahu assigned the Shin Bet the job, after securing permission from Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein.
The attorney general customarily supervises such probes to ensure that prime ministers don't use the Shin Bet for political investigations. But in this case, Weinstein was convinced that the damage caused by the leak justified the probe - both because of Washington's anger and because it followed on the heels of another leak of sensitive security information from someone in the prime minister's circle.
Weinstein also offered a third justification: The leak clearly emanated from one of Netanyahu's closest aides, and a situation in which the prime minister can't trust his aides is intolerable.
Initially, the probe was kept secret, lest knowledge of it cause the media to pay even closer attention to the leaked information and intensify the damage. But then news of the investigation itself was leaked, along with the false claim that two of Netanyahu's other aides - not Arad - had given problematic responses in a lie-detector test.
As a result, Weinstein and then-Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin made the probe public in January. At that time, they said the leaker had not been discovered and the case had been closed.
A few weeks later, however, the Shin Bet asked Weinstein for permission to reopen the investigation, as new information had been discovered. Weinstein agreed, and the suspects were questioned again.
Senior Justice Ministry officials insisted to Haaretz yesterday that the case really was closed and then reopened due to new information. This was not merely a trick to lull the culprit, they said.
When the investigation resumed, Arad admitted to having been the leaker, but insisted he had done so unintentionally: The information just slipped out during a background briefing for journalists. Nevertheless, he also said he would resign immediately.
Weinstein then decided there were no grounds for criminal charges, just as previous attorneys general have in similar cases involving leaks of sensitive information. This decision stemmed from both Arad's resignation and the evidentiary difficulties of the case - for instance, proving that Arad had leaked the information deliberately rather than unthinkingly, as he claimed.
But the Shin Bet later decided to strip Arad of his high-level security clearance.
The Justice Ministry yesterday rejected accusations that in failing to publicize the resumption of the probe, it had perpetrated a cover-up meant to spare Netanyahu embarrassment. Rather, it said, the goal was to prevent massive media coverage that could result in publication of additional sensitive information.
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and outside the watch of international bodies. It is shear criminality to allow Israel to behave irresponsibly and pursue Iran, and Syria because the US hate those regimes.
we have a long history of supporting evil in this world...The Shah of Iran, the Saudi family, Hosni Mubarak, and the Israeli occupation of Arab lands to name a few, and now this secret nuclear project with non other.
the guy couldn't - or wouldn't - even produce a qualiy forged birth certificate, and you expect a viable Middle East peace plan out of him? Sooner or later, your banker friends will come up with someone more competent at undermining everything decent, and deliver your peace plan. Problem is, when he's done with everyone else, he'll turn on you. It's all in the prophecies, if you can read.
such hypocrisy.
US supports a ban on nuclear weapons in the middle east, leads the wrold in declaring sanctions against Iran for their nuclear program, then secretly guarantees Israel that not only can their illicit nuclear program continue, it will be strengthened? Yet another example of the U.S. government being dishonest, unfair, and helping a war-mongering nation with an extremely radical, racist government have the military means to murder hundreds of millions of people.
as another white, independent, western american, do leave our country alone. we're paying a high price for traitors who sold us to foreign interests. we can't even afford health care for our own citizens. we're bankrupt. maybe it's a blessing cause now we're forced to stop supporting war mongers like bibi.
as another white, independent, western american, do leave our country alone as a black, dependant eastern American, do not leave our country alone
The PM certainly cannot choose his entourage, without finding himself in some controversial media frenzy. One may well wonder, whether these leaks are for some purpose, in fact, one may well wonder the effect they have on undermining the US and Israel relationship. The question is even more sinister, for one has the impression that the PM is surrounded by those that are totally against any form of even considering the US stance in helping to cool down the upcoming madness, where Israel may well find itself at war. For lets get real, with the amount of weapons both in Syria and Lebanon and the possible civil war in both Syria and Lebanon, Israel will become the escape valve. This is no doom and gloom scenario for armchair theorists, its reality with a capital R. Israel, therefore needs to assess its relationship with the Obama administration and promptly rebuild the trust, for Pres.Obama will be around for a good many years. Nobody else wants the job. Right Mr.Trump.? So, Bibi, clean up your house, for a good spring-clean is required asap. Good day.
the whole story is a non issue.what is the usa complaining about?that they are working with israel? but they always have worked with us.and to their advantage. no need for hand wringing or panic.its all as you were.
the whole story is a non issue.what is the usa complaining about?that they are working with israel? but they always have worked with us.and to their advantage. no need for hand wringing or panic.its all as you were.
The United States had given Israel unequivocal guarantees that its "strategic capabilities" in the nuclear field would be preserved and strengthened. and both Israel and US want Iran to give their own civilian program.... A DOUBLE_STANDARD indeed,
is redundent, the manhattan project that gave the united states nuclear weapons was staffed to a high degree with jewish scientists. france used israeli help in developing its nuclear weapons.israel is an advanced scientefic nation. it is not at the mercy of obama in this important field
still trust Obama who speaks with the tongue of a snake. Snake he is and a poisonous serpent to Israel.
Finding it out in Israel will also find out the rest. Just follow the money.
Israel REALLY wants to be friend with our most important ally by insulting, and embarrassing them more severely and more often than anyone else or themselves for that matter...
But israel is made of the "chosen", and they have rights granted by their g-d.
What did Uzi Arad reveal? Who are the "Arabs" that some talkbacks are talking about? Why court -martial Uzi? What "secret nuclear project" is there that everybody knows about except me?
Israel introduced nuclear weapons to the Middle East in 1956. Israel is no position to lecture Iran or the rest of the world about nuclear proliferation. Indeed, If Israel, which occupies neighbors' land in violation of international law, can have nukes, why can't Iran? Israel introduced the law of the jungle, let us have the rule of the jungle. Period.
This is how things would have worked in a Western country with high ethics. Unfortunately, here people in high places (one of the PM's closest aids) don't feel any sense of responsibility or ethics or values. He stayed hidden like a rat until discovered and only then admitted his guilt while the country continued to suffer the embarrasment and anguish of this dragged out investigation. Uzi Arad - SHAME ON YOU !
In other to creat a lasting peace and harmony in the Middle East US should refrain from its double stand and hypocrisy n the Middle East,denying others the right of nuclear weapons and strengthening other nuclear weapons activities there is wrong, if they real want nuclear free in the Middle East then all nations in that region should included.
The "chosen" are special people and they have the right to have all kind of weapons and others do not have the same right..
some people seem intent on undermining netanyahu.
Had to have been Lieberman...lol Ah well, it's not like the US wasn't already aware of the leak, and it probably had been informed of its source.
It coud be in response to demands from the United States to find the culprit who has laid the United States of America open to charges of breaking International Law and nuclear proliferation at a time when the US is working towards preventing North Korea and Iran from dointg the same. The arrogance of Israel is spellbinding
Well after agreeing to a nuclear free Middle East (apart from Israel) he will no doubt say in his forthcoming speech that he supposrts freedom and justice in the Middle East (apart from the Palestinians!)
Maybe he can tell you who is the "author" of the "Middle East Spring?"
the poster takes pride i understand in the fact that he is now a british national.yet his people work against britain and the british do not trust either his original nationality or his faith.
LMAO! You sure have one vivid imagination...
We know that Israel won't want to give up its nuclear weapons. (why doesn't it admit to having them, by the way?) no matter whether there isn't another nuclear bomb on the face of the earth!
to portray everything he does as a success to the Israeli public He and his aides are putting longterm relationships at risk. As for Russia Netanyahu is that paranoid he probably things Russia is providing Iran with nuclear weapons
... since the demise of Rabin it's all been downhill, at one pace or another...
Uzi Arad should be court marshaled. This is not something to be taken lightly. And it’s irrelevant if it was intentional or not. A ‘strategic nuclear capability’ guarantee of this type... has the potential for global consequences. Not only to Israeli security... but it effects the military policy of the US, Russia, China, Iran and the entire Middle East. If a national security official can’t be trusted with this kind of information... his ass might as well be sitting in jail.
I'll watch my grammar next time.
NPT which is signed and ratified by US? I know Israel is not part of NPT, but USA cannot help a non-NPT even for civilian purposes.
Reading different press accounts, this is the first admitting not to be in possession of the Obama speech in draft form. Google Obama Middle East Speech and you can find at least six reports claiming to be in the know. Some people may have to wait until the official copy is released, about 30 minutes in advance. Alternatively, just listen or watch. REMINDER - when the raid in Pakistan had already been ordered, Obama visited a tornado disaster area, gave a graduation speech, visited the shuttle astronauts and Gabbie Giffords, and roasted the birthers and Trump at the Correspondents Dinner. Nobody knows what he is thinking or planning unless he wants it known. And while Disney may have trademarked the term "Seal Team Six," the US Navy is not likely to pay royalties while Obama is President. He is not the pushover he has been portrayed to be. Bibi arguing that status quo is good will likely not sell well.
the entire muslim world hates him: pakistan, saudi, the gulf states, egyptians, syrians. the us has lost all influence and credibility in the region. iran is still going nuclear. what's more, he has infuriated his own military and defence secretary with constant leaks regarding the seal operation. giving speeches every few weeks will solve nothing. the more he speaks, the worse things get.
"Obama infuriated Israel by backing a resolution on a nuclear-free Middle East at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference"
That;s what you get when you trust an Israeli Arab. If Israeli was smart, they'd treat then the same way the Palestinian state will treat all the Jews in their territory. Just not let them live there any longer, What is fair is fair.
Enough said
Israel, like the US, is imploding from the inside due to corruption, greed and warmongering
They can't learn English so they stay home and government has to feed their hungry women.Costly multiculturalism isn't it Ha ha ha.
Is Islam under attack by a racist chosen?
Netanyahu proved again to be only a puppet of Obama, who does not care about Israel.
I am a white, mid-western, independent American. I have lost all respect for the nation of Israel. You bleed my country, you corrupt my congress. You have nuclear weapons, use them. Please leave my country alone.
Apparently you do, as you post at an Israeli newspaper website...
Are you uttely nuts? "you have nuclear weapons, use them" ... on who? You and your stupid country that does all it can to aid israelis criminality?
If you don't give Arab a job you are a racist.If you give him a job you are betrayed. Welcome to Arab world Israel.
Making a racist comment. Doesn't have to be pertinent.
How do you accidentally leak nuclear information to a reporter?
You have to believe you are beyond reproach and above any law or rather, are the law.
With Netanyahu's blessing and Arad had to be scarified.
It wasn't accidentally laked The problem is/was because of Israel's failure to ratify the Nuclear non proliferation Treaty which means any aid on nuclear issues is banned under international law. So it wasn't accidentally leaked it is a measure of the arrogance of Netanyahu desperate to give Israeli good news stories to deflect from the fact his government has been an utter disaster. That Netanyahu's personal aid felt it was alright to leak that the United States was going to deliberately break international law at a time whn the United States is trying to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology between Iran and North Korea
Genuine peace cannot be imposed from outside. Only the Israelis can determine their own fate; i.e. stop building settlements and swap land for peace.
If you think apartheid ended in South Africa due to sanctions, you're deluded. It's just that the ruling party realised the demographics weren't on their side and they would end up like Rhodesia unless they did something bold and moved to end the conflict. Israel isn't in that position (not to mention the present occupation isn't equivalent to apartheid, if you were even attempting to equate them).