The spying program is the real problem in the crisis with Israel

Uncertainty and unrest reign in the Spanish information and intelligence services. The diplomatic crisis with Israel, which will end next Tuesday with the recognition of the Palestinian state, could lead to first and subsequent disruptions in the transfer of sensitive information between the security forces and bodies of both countries. Also in the equipment used by the National Police, the Civil Guard, the regional police forces and the National Intelligence Center (CNI).

Intelligence sources consulted by this newspaper say, “This could be a major problem in the long run that could last 10 or 15 years.” The biggest concern is spyware, software Those information sources are used to penetrate the electronic equipment of terrorists and criminal groups. The most powerful ones, the most used here and around the world Made in Israel.

Defense and security material companies need approval from their respective governments to be able to sell these abroad. The fear among the sources interviewed is that Israel will “cut the tap” with Spain, or delay its requests longer than usual. “With what face will we ask our colleagues for help after this?” one agent wonders.

Military innovations

In addition to the fear of programs already known, intelligence sources consulted fear that Spain could be left behind in the future. In the war between Israel and Hamas, the Jewish State is testing new technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence. Agents fear that in the future they will be denied access to these advances if the companies that market them do not obtain permits to sell them to the government.

The most famous case is that of Pegasus software Which is sold by NSO, an Israeli company, and which Spain uses. It has been topical in recent months for two reasons: for the alleged spying on Catalan political leaders and because the president of the government, Pedro Sánchez, was also spied on with the same. MalwareWith several ministers.

The national court opened a case regarding this second aspect, but the lack of cooperation from Israel hindered progress in the investigation and temporarily closed it. Recently, France has sent a series of notifications about the investigations open in the neighbouring country. The French services see similarities in the spying on the Spanish executive with those suffered in their territory by a similar spying program. The judge has appointed the CCN-CERT, dependent on the CNI, to carry out a series of investigations and has reopened the case.

sensitive information

They emphasize that the second danger lies in the exchange of information. Israel is the eyes and ears of the Western world in the Middle East. It is a fundamental partner of the European and United States secret services. Intelligence notes on the activities of jihadist groups and enemy governments in the region are essential to the security of countries around the world.

“We will remain deaf and blind,” says a colleague from the Spanish services, aware of the importance of good relations in intelligence that have always existed between the two countries. The situation in Middle East Jihadist terrorism and its growth in the rest of the world is a matter of interest and concern for all countries, especially Spain. Spain’s geographical position, with its advanced border reaching the Sahel, makes our country a target for radicals.

The first friction between Spain and Israel arose a few days after the Hamas attack on October 7. While Podemos was still in government, then-minister Ion Bellara called for Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to be taken before the International Criminal Court, sparking anger among the Israeli diplomatic delegation.

In those days, sources in the Spanish secret services announced Independent that they continued to maintain “good relations.” Intelligence sources said then that communication between the CNI and its Israeli counterpart, the Mossad, was “where it should be.” The earthquake did not affect the exchange of sensitive information. “What is happening now is something else. There was no need to recognize Palestine in this situation, especially when Congress already did so ten years ago. We’ll see what the outcome of all this is.”