Suspected Israeli Spies Held by U.S.

Fox News ^ | December 12, 2001 | Carl Cameron

[mmmmmmmm....... donuts]

WASHINGTON

[mmmmmmmm....... donuts]

Here's the FOX thing talked about earlier. Anyway, I don't doubt that the Israelis were indeed in the U.S. keeping tabs on the Arab groups. I do, however, doubt that the Israeli intelligence had SPECIFIC knowledge about 9-11 and withheld it. Cameron really stretches to make that assertion, his facts just don't support it, not at this point anyway.

More likely--as has been reported several times--Israel told the U.S. in general terms that something was about to go down, and the U.S. agencies probably thought, 'Ugh, the Israelis complaining about the Arabs, again', and waved it away.

[wideawake]

While I do not doubt that there are Israelis in America who are spying on our government (Pollard anyone?) and on Arab groups in the US, I do doubt they had specific knowledge of 9/11.

I assume their activities are more geared toward discovering attacks on Israel than on the US.

[Bommer]

, I don't doubt that the Israelis were indeed in the U.S. keeping tabs on the Arab groups. I do, however, doubt that the Israeli intelligence had SPECIFIC knowledge about 9-11 and withheld it.

Cameron said that they were eves dropping on the same terrorists for months before the attack. Don't tell me they didn't know!

[dlt]

"...a close and trusted ally." It's about time this has been reported.

[financeprof]

My wife saw a "Puzzlecar" and "Zoomcopter" guy at the local mall soon after 9/11. She thought the guy was creepy and suspicious--I guess she was right.

[scratchgolfer]

I would wager that if this is factual the Israelis were keeping an eye on Arab groups here that are the same groups our FBI has been tracking, but for reasons of being interested in Israeli matters. I suspect that if they had prior knowledge of September 11 they would have revealed it. I read that the Israeli government shared such information, albeit in a general way, with the US government. With so many Jewish folks in New York (who could get hurt) I would imagine this group would have gone to the authorities.

[wheezer]

Cameron said that they were eves dropping on the same terrorists for months before the attack.

Really?...that's pretty explosive news.

If the Israeli government knew (via these spies) of the attacks prior to 9-11 and didn't give us a warning...does that make them quasi-accomplices?

[veronica]

But Fox News has learned that one group of Israelis spotted in North Carolina.....

Didn't the Justice Department deny this story? I believe Ashcroft said it was untrue, that there were no Israelis spotted in No. Carolina. And then is was reported the 'Israelis' were Arabs. Odd.

[Ancesthntr]

Everybody spies on everybody. As long as Israel, or any other country, spies on us solely for their own protection, then I can't get too upset about it. Going beyond that would upset me greatly.

We undoubtedly spy on Israel as well. In the same manner, I would bet that England, France, Germany, Canada, etc. all have spies here, as we undoubtedly do in their nations. We live in the real world, not some fairy tale. If this is a surprise to anyone, I would just say "grow up."

Given how our nation has been used as a haven for terrorists of all stripes, undoubtedly including those who have or would like to hit Israel, can Israel be blamed for trying to keep tabs on these people? Evidently, our FBI and CIA are incapable of taking such threats seriously, or doing anything of real consequence to stop these animals until we lose nearly 4,000 people.

[wideawake]

That was never made clear. I presume that the NC guys were Palestinians with Israeli passports.

[USMMA_83]

It's this story that's going to get the Arabs and Muslems masturbating, and gasping, "I told you so...."

[veronica]

Exactly. Ashcroft did deny it, though. Was posted here a bunch of times.

[NC_Libertarian]

WTF? I thought Israel was supposed to be our friends? And what about the USS Liberty?

[curmudgeonII]

I'd be a lot more sympathetic for Israel if they did a lot less spying on the U.S.

[dlt]

But the problem here is that Israel sells our national secrets to third parties (i.e., Russia, China). If this isn't enough, at $3-5 billion in foreign aid per year, US taxpayers foot the bill for this spying.

I say that Congress needs to put US interests first -- for a change. If the US would pursue its legitimate interests in the Middle East, my guess is that the chances for real peace in the Middle East would increase immeasureably.

[A. Pole]

I thought Israel was supposed to be our friends? And what about the USS Liberty?

It was just a friendly fire.

[veronica]

And what about the USS Liberty?

A long forgotten and forgiven event which the Congress has just refused to look into - again.

[jmp702]

... said some of them failed polygraph questions inquiring about alleged surveillance activities against and in the United States.

Numerous classified documents obtained by Fox News indicate that even prior to Sept. 11, as many as 140 other Israelis had been detained or arrested in a secretive and sprawling investigation into suspected espionage by Israelis in the United States.

Investigators from numerous government agencies are part of a working group that has been compiling evidence in the case since the mid-1990s. These documents detail hundreds of incidents in cities and towns across the country that investigators say quote "may well be an organized intelligence-gathering activity."

Documents say they "targeted" and penetrated military bases, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, dozens of government facilities and even secret offices and unlisted private homes of law enforcement and intelligence personnel.

______________________________

I couldn't agree with you more. I have absolutely no problem with "England, France, Germany, Canada, etc." engaging in suspected espionage, organized intelligence-gathering activity, and targeting and penetrating military bases, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, dozens of government facilities and even secret offices and unlisted private homes of law enforcement and intelligence personnel.

Just the ways of the world, I guess.

[veronica]

Quit being logical and rational! (-;

[aspide]

Yes, it makes them accomplices. Once we finish up in Afghanistan, we should nuke Israel next.