NZ jails Israeli 'spies'

[rooboy]

New Zealand has suspended high level visits to Israel after two Israeli men were convicted of passport fraud and sentenced to six months in jail.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says there are strong reasons to believe the men were acting on behalf of Israel's intelligence services.

Uriel Zoshe Kelman and Eli Cara last month pleaded guilty to charges which included attempting to obtain a New Zealand passport and participating in an organised crime group to obtain a false passport.

They were caught in a police sting after a tip-off from a suspicious customs officer.

The men have not confessed to being part of Mossad.

Ms Clark says it is a sorry indictment on Israel that it has breached its relationship with a friendly country.

In a statement she said the case was "far more than simple criminal behaviour by two individuals".

She said the activity had "seriously strained our relationship" with Israel and warned "no approach by Israel to intervene in the sentences" would be entertained.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1154920.htm

[drdon326]

1. And there's soooo much for Israel to spy on in NZ.

:eyes:

[rooboy]

2. That's a silly comment.

It's natural to want a NZ passport because they're highly regarded around the world. Or do you believe that Mossad agents visit Cairo using Israeli documents? Jeez.