Probe finds police did not spy on ministry directors, claims TV report

According to a TV report, the Justice Ministry investigation into claims that Israel Police illegally spied on Israeli citizens has found that many of the allegations in the original Calcalist report were false.

Channel 12 news reports that the initial probe headed by Deputy Attorney General Amit Marari finds that NSO’s Pegasus spyware was not used against three former directors of ministries: Shai Babad, Keren Terner and Emi Palmor.

According to the report, there were some individuals named by Calcalist who were subjected to police phone hacking via spyware, but they were suspected of criminal activity and the use of spyware was given judicial approval.

Marari’s findings are expected to be presented to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett soon. Many lawmakers have called to establish a state commission of inquiry into the incident.