In a classified congressional briefing on visa restriction legislation, it was revealed that the U.S. considers Israeli espionage "has crossed red lines."
Israel has allegedly intensified efforts to steal U.S. industrial secrets under the cover of trade missions and joint defense contracts. The Israeli espionage activities were reported to be unrivaled and counterspies told the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees that it is far greater than the intelligence activities of other allies such as Germany, France, the U.K., and Japan.
One congressional staffer familiar with the briefing said the testimony was "very sobering...alarming...even terrifying." Another staffer called it "damaging."
Their main target is American industrial and technical secrets.
A spokesman from the Israeli embassy, Aaron Sagui, told Newsweek that the allegations were completely false.
"Israel doesn't conduct espionage operations in the United States, period. We condemn the fact that such outrageous, false allegations are being directed against Israel."
U.S. intelligence officials refused to comment on classified congressional briefings.
