Opposition bill for state commission to probe police spyware passes initial vote

11 May 2022, 6:19 pm

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The opposition has managed to pass in its preliminary reading a bill to form a state commission of inquiry into the police’s use of spyware to snoop after Israelis.

The bill was submitted by Likud MK Yoav Kisch in the wake of media claims that shook the country earlier this year, that law enforcement had used spyware – including NSO Group’s Pegasus software – to illegally spy on citizens through their phones without court orders.

The bill passed with 59 MKs in favor and 58 against.

Police and the State Prosecution investigated the claims that originated in the Calcalist newspaper and found that though spyware has been used, it was done with court approval.