LONDON — The United States ordered an espionage drive against Israel to determine whether it would oppose the rapid establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank.

ShareThis

The memorandum was relayed to U.S. diplomats throughout the Middle East, Middle East Newsline reported. The Oct. 31, 2008 cable stressed the administration's priority to establish a Palestinian state throughout the West Bank and a halt to all Jewish activity in the area. The American diplomats were also asked to gather evidence on Israeli military operations. The memorandum stressed the need for details on Israeli efforts to kill Palestinian insurgents. The data on Israel was meant to be gathered from military and government communications. Ms. Rice asked the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv and other facilities to review Internet, cellular phone and govenrment communications, including passport data. The U.S. effort also included information on Israeli civilian and military leaders. The State Department also ordered data on Palestinian Authority as well as Hamas leaders.

---