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Netanyahu refers to Pegasus revelations as 'black day'

Allegations that the police used the Pegasus software to illegally spy on politicians, activists and journalists raise more concerns about privacy, civil liberties and democracy.

Israel Pegasus
A photographic illustration shows a mobile phone near the NSO Group company logo on Feb. 9, 2022 in the Israeli city of Netanya. Israel's ground-breaking surveillance technology was once feted as a prized export, but reports that the secret spyware was also turned on citizens at home has trigged domestic outrage. — JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

“It happened to me too. I’m in shock. Seriously. … And it will happen to you too.” That was how Avner Netanyahu, son of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responded to reports that he appeared on the list of people tracked by the police with the Pegasus spyware.

The report, which appeared in the Calcalist economic newspaper Feb. 7, claimed that the police spied on several dozen civilians in key positions of power, including the former directors general of several major ministries. These included former Justice Ministry DG Emi Palmor, former Finance Ministry DG Shai Babad, and former Communication Ministry DG Shlomi Filber (who eventually turned state witness in Netanyahu’s bribery trial). The list also includes mayors, important leaders of social protests, chairs of labor committees, and advisors to Netanyahu when he was prime minister.

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