Israel Denies Leaked US Documents Linking Mossad Involvement In Protests Against Prime Minister Netanyahu's Government

Illustration. (Piaxabay/TayebMEZAHDIA)

JAKARTA - The Israeli government on Sunday denied a leaked United States intelligence agency (CIA) report, which claimed that Mossad, the country's intelligence agency, encouraged protests in the country in recent months.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement the reports were "absurd and completely unfounded".

This stems from a report by The New York Times on Saturday, publishing an assessment linked to central intelligence information on March 1, Mossad leadership has encouraged its staff and Israeli citizens to join the public protests.

The newspaper said that while the leaked document appeared authentic, it did not mean it was accurate.

"Mossad and its senior officials did not - and did not - encourage the personnel of this intelligence agency to join demonstrations against the government, political demonstrations or any political activity," said PM Netanyahu's office, as reported by The National News, April 10.

Since early January, Israel has seen the largest protests since the country's founding, with millions of people taking to the streets to denounce PM Netanyahu's plans to overhaul the country's justice system.

His proposed reforms, which were postponed late last month, would give the government significant influence over positions on the Supreme Court.

They will also allow parliament to overturn a Supreme Court decision, by a simple majority vote among its 121 members.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant strongly condemned the plan, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to announce his removal from office, even though he has persisted amid the escalating security crisis at the country's borders and in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

A large number of personnel serving in the country's security forces have gone on strike from service over the proposed reforms, joining workers from across the country who have started industrial action.

After weeks of intensifying protests, PM Netanyahu relented in late March and said he would postpone contentious reforms to allow for compromise talks with opposition parties.

Separately, the US Department of Justice said Friday it had contacted the Department of Defense and had begun an investigation into the leak of the documents, which include matters relating to national security.