Dr. Omer Dostri, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leaked classified intelligence documents on Israel’s aerial attack on Iran during the strike on Friday night. According to one official, Dostri’s “extremely serious breach of procedure” entailed publishing documentation that included a recording of people involved in the attack, which should have been but was not reviewed to allow security authorities to blur sensitive elements and faces. Dostri broke protocol, and Israeli and international media publicized the clip, jeopardizing the mission’s success.
Last week, we reported on the FBI’s investigation into the leak, so this quick discovery offers some relief. Thankfully, Israel’s attack still succeeded greatly in destroying Iranian military facilities, including advanced military equipment, missile components, missile fuel, radar systems, and air defenses. Analysts believe Iran will need to spend two years rebuilding the assets that were destroyed. But the fact that the leak came from within the prime minister’s office is discouraging and threatening. Dostri, who joined Netanyahu’s office in August, faces punishment, and Netanyahu must be more careful in ensuring his team’s ability to keep government secrets secure. If Israel is to continue its defense against Iranian aggression, it can’t afford to have its plans fall into enemy hands.
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