The unvarnished truth is that Israel would have to be totally out of its mind to wiretap the White House and mount an operation against Donald Trump, the most supportive US President in history. US defense and federal aid to the Jewish state has hit an all-time high, including recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Does any rational, unbiased, and sane observer really think Netanyahu would condone such a perilous espionage operation? Even President Trump does not believe the allegations are true.
“I don’t think the Israelis were spying on us. My relationship with Israel has been great. Anything is possible, but I don’t believe it.”
Such an operation at this time would, take your pick, be foolhardy, insane, and defy any cost-benefit analysis. But let’s go along with the unbased assessment of the three former US officials, “It was pretty clear that the Israelis were responsible.” But where’s the evidence for such an assessment? They provide none whatsoever. Maybe that explains why these three officials are now “former.”
But not only President Trump but also Prime Minister Netanyahu has categorically rejected the allegation.
“We have a directive; I have a directive – no intelligence work in the United States, no spies. And it’s vigorously implemented without any exception. It is a complete fabrication, a complete fabrication!”
Netanyahu would have had to consider the “what if” should such an Israeli operation be blown, and what would be the consequences for Jerusalem. Does any rational observer, pro-Israel or not, suppose that the mercurial Trump would simply say, ‘Ho hum, those naughty Israelis are at it again.”? And after the infamous Pollard affair back in the eighties severely harmed Israeli-American relations when a rogue Mossad operation enlisted a US code expert. That ended very badly, and since then Israeli Intelligence officials from Bibi on down have categorically rejected the very notion that Israel would ever dare repeat such a spy operation against its greatest ally, the US.
So, What if the electronic espionage was uncovered in Washington? Who would be the possible suspects? Granted, Israel has a record of conducting amazing espionage feats. But, for example, so do the Russians and the Chinese. Moreover, the three former American accusers may be disgruntled and opposed to the close relationship between Trump and Israel. Where is there evidence? They, apparently, have none to back up their “pretty clear” accusation. The bottom line is that to believe that senior Israeli officials, or Netanyahu himself, sanctioned such a risky operation, you would have to think that they are absolute imbeciles. That, they are not! Whether you love or hate the Israeli Prime Minister.
With the Israeli election set for September 17, the polls continue to indicate that there will be no clearcut winner. That is, whether the two frontrunners, Netanyahu or Benny Gantz, will be able to form a coalition that will be able to command a 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset. Even after the ballots are tallied, it will take some political horsetrading before either of the frontrunners can forge an absolute majority.
