Israel blocked Ukraine from buying Pegasus spyware, fearing Russia's anger

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Israel blocked Ukraine from buying Pegasus spyware, fearing Russia’s anger

Revelation of denial offers new insight into the way Israel’s relationship with Moscow has undermined Ukrainian objectives

Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
@skirchy
Wed 23 Mar 2022 14.01 GMT

Israel blocked Ukraine from buying NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware for fear that Russian officials would be angered by the sale of the sophisticated hacking tool to a regional foe, according to people familiar with the matter.

The revelation, following a joint investigation by the Guardian and Washington Post, offers new insight into the way Israel’s relationship with Russia has at times undermined Ukraine’s offensive capabilities – and contradicted US priorities.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has been critical of Israel’s stance since Russia launched its full and bloody invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, saying in a recent address before members of Israel’s Knesset that Israel would have to “give answers” on why it had not given weapons to Ukraine or applied sanctions on Russians.

People with direct knowledge of the matter say that, dating back to at least 2019, Ukrainian officials lobbied Israel to try to convince it to license the spyware tool for use by Ukraine.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/23/israel-ukraine-pegasus-spyware-russia

[brush]

1. Whose side are they on? Guess we know now.

Unbelievable.

[SheltieLover]

2. Agreed!

[marie999]

4. Israel is on Israel's side and no one else's.

In this instance, it believes that they need Russia's goodwill more.

[brush]

5. But they're sure not going to turn down the yearly billions from the US.

[mitch96]

3. From what I have heard Israel is worried about the 600# gorilla backing Syria. I.E. russia..nt

[brush]

6. Russia is no longer seen as a 600 lb anything after their...

military has been exposed in Ukraine.

[mitch96]

7. After what we have seen I agree with you.. Problem is Syria has used chemical weapons in the past

And I can see them being stupid and using russian chemicals on their enemy... i.e. Israel...
m

[brush]

8. I still don't get their "neutrality" after the near-trillion of...

dollars, maybe more by now, of aid the US has given them, why would Israel think the US wouldn't come to their defense? Is loyalty an unfamiliar concept?