Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the UK, recently made a surprising claim: he believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planted a listening device in his bathroom during a visit back in 2017.
According to Johnson, when Netanyahu visited the Foreign Office, his security team discovered a bugging device in the bathroom after the Israeli leader used it. Johnson described the bathroom as fancy, like one you’d find in an upscale London club, and located in a “secret annexe” of the office.
In his new book, Unleashed, Johnson shared this bizarre story. He wrote, “Bibi [Netanyahu] went to the bathroom, and later, during a routine check for bugs, they found a listening device in the toilet.” When asked for more details in an interview, Johnson hinted that the book contained everything anyone needed to know about that strange incident.
It’s still unclear whether Israel faced any consequences for this alleged spying incident. Interestingly, around the same time, there were reports that Israel had planted listening devices near the White House, suggesting this might not have been an isolated event.
Netanyahu, who has a close relationship with Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is known for his involvement in espionage activities. During his meeting with Johnson, the former PM likened his experience to being “Willy Wonka” as he proudly showed Netanyahu around his office. He joked about having the actual walnut desk where a significant historical document, the Balfour Declaration, was written. Netanyahu seemed genuinely impressed, exclaiming “wow” at the desk’s significance.
Johnson humorously revealed that he even had the “very pen” used to write the declaration, only to pull out a regular Bic pen from his drawer. He later admitted that he wasn’t sure how the original letter was created or if the desk he showed off was truly the one used by the former foreign secretary.
Mossad Accused of Spying on Trump
Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, was also accused of secretly placing listening devices near the White House in 2018 to spy on then-President Donald Trump. This shocking claim came from three former US officials who spoke to Politico.
According to these officials, the FBI identified Israel as responsible for setting up several tiny spying devices in Washington, D.C. These devices were designed to monitor mobile phone traffic, suggesting they were aimed at keeping tabs on Trump himself.
The spying gadgets, known as IMSI-catchers, work by tricking mobile phones into thinking they are signal towers. Once a phone connects to one of these devices, it can capture the phone’s location and listen in on calls. This technology raised serious concerns about privacy and security in the heart of the US government.
When these accusations surfaced, a spokesperson from the Israeli embassy in Washington strongly denied them, calling the claims “nonsense.” Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, backed this denial, stating, “We have a directive: No intelligence work in the United States, no spies.” This firm statement aimed to distance Israel from any wrongdoing.
Donald Trump also weighed in on the matter, expressing skepticism about the reports. He said he found the accusations “hard to believe,” which only added to the intrigue surrounding the story.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension and complexities in international relations, raising questions about trust and surveillance among powerful nations. What exactly was happening behind the scenes in Washington? The answers remain shrouded in mystery.
