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Israel to Imprison Whoever Releases Data on Mossad Agents | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves after making a televised statement to Reuters at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem November 5, 2012. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM – Tags: POLITICS)


Tel Aviv- The Israeli government is preparing new rules to criminalize the collection or publication of information on Mossad operatives past or present and increasing prison sentences for infractions.

Suspects would be tried for espionage and could face a seven-year prison sentence. If the suspected motive is harm to national security, that number could rise to 15 years to life.

The cabinet received the wording of the new rules last week, and if no minister raises objections over the following seven days, a vote will proceed without a debate.

According to the proposal, with the approval of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, information will remain confidential about Mossad employees.

This also goes for soldiers who served in the agency, national service volunteers in the Mossad and the organization’s service providers.

These details will include the person’s address and information about his or her relatives and Mossad facilities.

As for the Atomic Energy Commission, the Mossad does not operate based on a law.

The ban on publishing information stems from Israeli censorship law and the general prohibition against publishing “secret information.”

The new rules also aim to prevent former Mossad operatives from revealing that they worked for the organization and people who assisted the Mossad from boasting about their actions.

Still, the Mossad chief may allow publication of certain details.