The leaked document labeled "top secret" is among dozens of images leaked online, appearing to show worldwide intelligence briefings on countries in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, tactical-level battlefield updates and assessments of Ukraine's defense capabilities and much more. The National Security Council, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the State Department all declined to comment Saturday on the memo related to Israel. Defense Department spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Friday that the leak is under review, and the Justice Department said it has opened an investigation.
The Mossad's alleged opposition to Netanyahu's proposed judicial reforms has caused a division in Israeli society, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets and causing fractures in the military by inspiring hundreds of reservists to declare they would not serve. Israeli diplomats joined the strikes and, for a day, scores of Israeli embassies around the world were shuttered. However, at least in public, opposition came mainly from the grass roots or retired officials, as serving lawmakers and security figures stood supportive or tight-lipped. The only major figure to break ranks, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, himself under pressure from former military colleagues, did so in late March. The following day, Netanyahu announced Gallant was fired, although he still remains in office.
The Mossad, whose chief David Barnea was installed by Netanyahu, has been publicly silent on the overhaul. Israeli news media reported in late February that he had given permission for low-ranking Mossad personnel to participate in the demonstrations, on the condition that they did not make their professional affiliations public. The decision came in response to a petition from intelligence officers suggesting that they would not report for duty if the legislation went ahead.
