Israel minister to discuss Pegasus scandal in France visit
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 10:33 | 27 July 2021
- Modified Date: 10:33 | 27 July 2021
A ministry statement said Gantz will leave Wednesday for talks with French Defence Minister Florence Parly on topics including the crisis in Lebanon, nuclear negotiations with Iran and the Pegasus malware made by Israeli firm NSO, which was allegedly used to target President Emmanuel Macron.
Pegasus, which is able to switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, is at the centre of a storm after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets was leaked to human rights groups.
Amnesty International and French media nonprofit Forbidden Stories collaborated with a clutch of media companies, including the Washington Post, the Guardian and Le Monde, to analyse and publish the list.
Macron had to change his phone and number.
Israel's defence ministry must approve NSO exports given the sensitive nature of the sector.
Israel's defence establishment has set up a committee to review the firm's business, including the process through which export licenses are granted.
Pegasus's list of alleged targets includes at least 180 journalists, 600 politicians, 85 human rights activists and 65 business leaders.
NSO insists its software is only intended for use in fighting terrorism and other crimes, and says it exports to 45 countries.
- US intensifies airstrikes in Afghanistan to aid government forces
- Biden warns cyber attacks could lead to 'a real shooting war'
- U.S. State Department to investigate swastika carved into elevator
- Tunisian president discusses regional issues with Algeria's foreign minister
- Indonesia records highest single-day COVID-19 deaths