Israeli intelligence officials are reportedly concerned that any intelligence information shared with their American counterparts will eventually leak to Russia — thanks to the cozy relationship President-elect Donald Trump may have with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The fears stem from a reported recent meeting involving Israeli and American intelligence officials, according Israeli paper Yedioth Ahronoth. Those involved in the talks said that the Americans warned Israel to "be careful" starting Jan. 20, the day Trump takes over the Oval Office.
The American intelligence officials reportedly briefed their Israeli colleagues on the hacks targeting the Democratic National Committee, claiming they had "highly credible information" that Russian intelligence agencies conduct the cyberattacks and subsequently leaked the emails to WikiLeaks to undermine Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.
According to the report, the Americans also informed Israeli officials that Putin had "leverages of pressure" over Trump. The Americans did not divulge what type of leverage Moscow had, but it was assumed they were referencing the 35-page memos collected by a former MI6 agent.
The Americans reportedly recommended Israel avoid sharing any sensitive documents with the U.S. until a time when Trump establishes he is not sharing information with Russia, or working closely with Putin.
Warnings coming from American intelligence about Trump are not necessarily incredible given that the president-elect and the intelligence community has publicly bickered over Russia's involvement and motive in the DNC hacking. Moreover, the Obama administration had a falling out with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu long ago, before the U.S. abstained from a UN vote that negatively impacted Israeli settlement expansion plans, so it could be that these American officials were trying to sabotage Trump's relationship with Israel.
The incoming president's pick for ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has already indicated that Trump will be Israel's "best friend."
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