Targeting of local Israeli officials
Date of report
  • January 2022
Affiliations
  • Believed to be the work of Israel's government
The signals intelligence unit of the Israeli police is suspected of using Pegasus spyware to surveil local officials and their families in Israel. The warrantless surveillance conducted with Pegasus was used to inform later prosecutions for bribery, some of which were dismissed in court for lack of evidence. The police attempted to cover up evidence that they had used Pegasus in the investigations. 
Suspected victims
  • Mayors and other local officials in Israel.
Suspected state sponsor
  • Israel
Type of incident
  • Espionage
Target category
  • Government
Policy response