In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that a listening device was discovered in his office bathroom after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit in 2017. Johnson shared this startling piece of information in his newly released memoir, *Unleashed*, offering a rare glimpse into the covert world of international espionage.
According to Johnson, the bug was found during a routine security sweep conducted shortly after Netanyahu used the lavatory during an official meeting. The incident, though not widely publicized at the time, raised immediate suspicions about potential Israeli surveillance activities at the highest levels of British government. Johnson stopped short of accusing Netanyahu directly, but the timing of the discovery leaves little room for coincidence. He described the incident as deeply troubling, pointing out the high-level security risks involved.
The former Prime Minister also drew parallels to similar espionage incidents in Washington, D.C., where Israeli intelligence had been implicated in surveillance activities targeting American officials. The infamous case of the “Lavon Affair” in the 1950s and later allegations of Israeli bugs in the White House during the Reagan administration serve as reminders of the long history of Israeli intelligence operations in allied nations. While Israel has consistently denied engaging in espionage against its allies, incidents like the one described by Johnson continue to fuel speculation and unease.
The discovery of the bug did not lead to any immediate diplomatic fallout, with both the UK and Israel choosing to keep the incident under wraps. However, the resurfacing of this story in Johnson's memoir reignites questions about the extent of Israeli espionage and the vulnerability of even the most secure government offices. The UK’s intelligence agencies reportedly took the incident seriously, but the device’s origin was never publicly confirmed.
Johnson's account adds another chapter to the controversial history of espionage involving Israeli operatives in foreign countries. Beyond the United Kingdom and the United States, Israeli spy agencies have faced accusations of planting bugs and carrying out clandestine operations in various nations. Notably, in 1998, Mossad agents were caught in Switzerland during an attempt to bug an apartment, a revelation that strained relations between the two countries.
Johnson’s memoir sheds light on the covert operations that often go unnoticed in the public eye but have far-reaching implications for international diplomacy. As world leaders continue to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries, Johnson’s account serves as a stark reminder that even the closest allies are not immune to surveillance activities.
With this revelation, it is clear that the issue of espionage between allied nations remains a sensitive and unresolved matter. As Johnson himself noted, the bugging incident may have been quietly swept under the rug, but its implications linger, casting a shadow over diplomatic relations between the UK and Israel.
The question remains: how secure are the conversations held behind closed doors at the highest levels of government? And what other secrets might be lurking, yet undiscovered?
Tags
International