Israel rejects claims that Mossad backed nationwide protests

The government denies claims in leaked documents that its intelligence agency encouraged Israelis to participate in mass demonstrations.

The Israeli government has rejected claims in documents reportedly leaked from the Pentagon that leaders of the foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, have supported nationwide protests against a proposed overhaul of Israel’s judiciary.

The New York Times published an assessment on Saturday that it attributed to a March 1 central intelligence update that the Mossad leadership had encouraged its staff and Israeli citizens to join the mass protests. The newspaper said that while the leaked documents appeared to be authentic, this did not mean they were correct.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Sunday that the report was “false and without any substantiation.”

“The Mossad and its senior officials did not – and will not – encourage staff from the employment agencies to participate in anti-government demonstrations, political demonstrations or any other political activity,” it said.

Netanyahu’s plans for a judicial overhaul have sparked unprecedented public anger since his coalition of hard-right and religious parties came to power late last year, and have also raised alarm among Israel’s western allies.

The proposed legislation would allow parliament to override Supreme Court decisions and scrutinize judicial appointments.

After weeks of escalating demonstrations, Netanyahu relented in late March and said he would delay contested reforms to allow talks with opposition parties.

The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it was in contact with the Department of Defense and had begun an investigation into the alleged leak of the documents, which cover various topics related to national security. It declined further comment.