TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Sunday that Israel and at least one other intelligence agency were tapping on US Secretary of State John Kerry’s last year when he was holding daily negotiation for peace between various leaders in Middle East.
"A large number of these conversations, which went via satellite, were listened to by at least two intelligence agencies, including the Israelis," the magazine wrote. "It is probable that the Russians and Chinese were also listening in."
The magazine cited “several sources from intelligence circles” as saying although Kerry had a secure phone in his house in Georgetown, he often went out and needed to use make quick phone call using a satellite phone that the intelligence tapped on.
By tapping on the phone, Israel often knew precisely what Kerry was talking to the other sides about. The magazine said Kerry was aware of the risks but the conversations were more important to him than the tapping itself.
There have been no comment from Israel and the State Department in Washington on the tapping.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | REUTERS
