Lying worse than spying

Washington more infuriated by cover-up attempts than by espionage charges

Orly Azoulay
Published: 04.23.08, 11:01 / Israel Opinion

It turns out that the almost-obsessive American suspicions were justified: Ever since the Pollard Affair was uncovered, senior American officials have argued that this was not a one-time case and that Israel utilized additional agents that spied on US soil.

On the other hand, Israeli prime ministers claimed that Pollard was a unique and regrettable case. On Tuesday, with a delay of 25 years, the American prosecutor placed the smoking gun on the table.

Responses

'Espionage case could seriously damage relations with US' / Roni Sofer

Senior government official warns arrest of US citizen charged with spying on Israel's behalf in 1980s could impair diplomatic relationship with key ally despite decades that have passed since affair. 'This will overshadow Bush's visit and, primarily, decrease any chance of securing a pardon for Jonathan Pollard,' says State source in Jerusalem

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The offenses attributed to Kadish were allegedly carried out 25 years ago, yet the cover-up work was done by his handler, an official representative of the State of Israel, only two weeks ago.

In a conversation recorded by the FBI, Kadish’s Israeli handler is heard instructing him in Hebrew and guiding him to lie to his interrogators. While we could say that the offences Kadish is charged with cause embarrassment but not damage, because they were committed many years ago, the cover-up took place these days. The result is that Israel not only spied, it also lied.

Pollard parole hopes shattered

The fury in Washington is focused on the cover-up rather than on the espionage. This, more than any other aspect of the affair, is where the greatest potential for damage lies. When the Pollard Affair was exposed, ties between Israel and the US suffered a harsh blow. Over the years, the relationship was mended, but the suspicions remained, and this sense of wariness was boosted Tuesday when Kadish’s story was revealed.

The American wariness is not only directed at the State of Israel, but rather, also at Jews who live in the US and hold senior and sensitive posts in the military and defense establishment there. The stain left by Pollard accompanied all of them. If it turns out that he was not the only one, the level of wariness will increase accordingly.

Meanwhile, the hopes for commuting Pollard’s sentence one of these days have completely evaporated Tuesday.

Now, Israel will have to provide explanations: More than it would have to explain Kadish’s espionage efforts, it would have to provide a good reason for the instructions he was given to lie.

There is no doubt that the new revelations are bringing up, within the American Administration, all the bad memories from the Pollard days, and we may have to wait another 25 years until they fade again.

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