Polish PM Accuses Previous Government of Treason Over Pegasus Spyware
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the previous government of treason, claiming the use of NSO Group's Pegasus spyware resulted in sensitive data leaking to Israel. He stated over 30 million zlotys were spent on the system, which he believes was not fully controlled by Polish services. Critics, including a former CBA head and a journalist, have denied these claims, with some accusing Tusk of political maneuvering and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Poland's previous government of treason over the use of Pegasus spyware.
- Tusk claims the spyware led to sensitive data leaking to Israeli hands.
- Over 30 million zlotys were allegedly spent on the Pegasus system from a crime victim fund.
- A former CBA head denied Tusk's claims, stating Israeli parties had no access to data.
- Critics accuse Tusk of political desperation and using anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has ignited a political firestorm by accusing the previous government and security officials of treason. Tusk alleges that the use of the Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, led to the leak of sensitive security and civilian information to Israeli hands. He stated that this revelation was confirmed by the domestic Internal Security Agency.
Tusk further claimed that the former government spent over 30 million zlotys from a fund originally intended to aid crime victims in Poland to acquire the surveillance system. He asserted that Polish services lacked genuine control over the spyware, implying that the Israeli company retained control over the data collected on Polish citizens, opposition leaders, and independent prosecutors.
These sharp accusations have drawn swift criticism. Right-wing journalist and activist Paweł Rybicki suggested Tusk's statements stem from political desperation following his party's significant loss in local elections in Krakow. Rybicki accused Tusk of employing anti-Semitic undertones in his messaging in a cynical attempt to leverage anti-Semitism for political gain.
Former professional officials have also refuted Tusk's claims. The former head of the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) categorically denied Tusk's allegations, accusing him of misleading the public and distorting reality. This former senior official clarified that Pegasus was operated legally and under full regulation by the organization, asserting that the Israeli side never accessed data related to surveillance targets or obtained information. He emphasized that exclusive control over the system and its data remained with Poland's security services.
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