Polish PM Accuses Predecessor of Giving Israel Pegasus Spyware Data
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the previous government of giving sensitive data to Israel via the Pegasus spyware. He claimed Israel maintained control of the system, which cost over 30 million zloty and was used for surveillance. Critics suggest Tusk is exploiting antisemitism after an election loss, while a former security chief denies Israel accessed any data.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Poland's previous government of transferring sensitive data to Israel via Pegasus spyware.
- Tusk claimed Israel retained control of the spyware, which cost over 30 million zloty.
- He alleged the system was used for surveillance on Polish citizens, opposition, and prosecutors.
- A journalist suggested Tusk's remarks had anti-Jewish undertones and were politically motivated.
- A former head of Poland's CBA denied that Israel accessed any data obtained by Pegasus.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused the previous government and the country's security services of transferring sensitive information to Israel through the use of the Israeli-developed Pegasus spyware. Tusk stated that the Polish Internal Security Agency (BDA) signed a contract for over 30 million zloty with an Israeli company for the system, but maintained that control of the spyware remained with Israel, allowing it to access information on Polish citizens, opposition leaders, and independent prosecutors.
He further alleged that the funds paid for the system, which he described as a tool for surveillance, tracking, listening, and espionage, were intended for crime victims in Poland. Tusk accused members of the previous government of "betrayal" for allowing this alleged data transfer and for the system's lack of control by the Polish side.
The prime minister's remarks have drawn criticism. Journalist and online activist Paweł Rybicki suggested Tusk's video statement contained "sharp anti-Jewish undertones" and was an attempt to exploit antisemitism following his party's loss in a crucial local election in Kraków.
Former head of the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA), Renest Badzha, refuted Tusk's claims. Badzha asserted that the CBA used the Pegasus system legally and under proper supervision, with control remaining with the CBA. He clarified that the Israeli side was not exposed to data concerning the targets of the system or the information obtained through it.
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