Jerusalem: Israeli police allegedly used spyware on the cellphone of the former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the inner circle, an Israeli newspaper reported Monday.
Calcalist has published a series of recent reports that accuse that police use advanced spyware to target the demonstrators and other Israeli citizens, encourage criticism from the political spectrum.
Police Commissioner has joined those who called for independent investigations.
In the past few days, Israeli media has reported that spyware was used against key witnesses in Netanyahu’s corruption trial.
Calcalist said it was also used against his son, Avner, two other defendant’s communication and wife advisors in this case.
They were among several leading figures targeted by spyware, including business leaders, former director of the Ministry of Cabinet, Mayor and protest organizers, Calcalist reported.
Most of the Seremonial President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, called for “deep and comprehensive investigation”.
“We must not lose our democracy.
We should not lose our police.
And of course: we must not lose our public trust in them,” he said.
Netanyahu was in the middle of a long corruption trial on charges of fraud, violating trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.
The 12-year-old historic rule ended in June when the narrow coalition government was appointed after four hard elections fighting in less than two years.
Netanyahu has long accused law enforcement to target it unfairly, and his lawyer has demanded answers.
Even Netanyahu’s political opponents have expressed anger.
The telephone witness was reportedly hacked, Shlomo Filler, is expected to testify in the coming days and Netanyahu’s lawyer is expected to ask for delays in his testimony.
It is still unclear whether there is evidence allegedly collected used against Netanyahu.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said that following a recent report, he recommended that the government form an external independent investigation committee led by judges.
In a statement, he said the investigation must aim to “restore public trust in Israeli police on the one hand, and regulate the use of technology by Israeli police on the other hand”.
The police said they had worked with an investigation launched by the Attorney General.
The state prosecutor means to tell Netanyahu’s lawyer that they “check correctly” reports, according to internal communication seen by the Associated Press.
Authorities have not said Spyware which might not be used inappropriately.
Calcalist said at least some cases involved the Israeli hacker-for-hacker company group.
Its flagship product, Pegasus, allows operators smoothly to infiltrate target phones and get access to device content, including real-time communication.
NSO faces inspection of installation in Pegasus, which has been associated with reconnaissance of human rights activists, journalists, and politicians throughout the world.
NSO, who did not reveal his client, said all sales were approved by the Israeli defense ministry and that the technology was used by the government to fight crime and terrorism.