World Jewish News

NATO and Israel sign agreement on the protection of exchanged classified information

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Israel have signed an agreement on the protection of classified information as part of a Security Agreement initially signed in 2001.

The agreement was signed by Wendy A. Bashnan, Director of the NATO Office of Security, and Nir Ben Moshe, Director for the Security of the Defence Establishment, at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv.

‘’The Arrangements will facilitate the cooperation between NATO and Israel as they serve as common minimum standards to be applied to the protection of the classified information exchanged between the two parties,’’ NATO explained.

The agreement is important for expanding the sharing of intelligence by Israel and NATO, with an emphasis on the growing power of terrorist groups in North Africa and other countries in the region.

Last year, after several years of deadlock, followed by the improvement of relations between Israel and NATO subsequent to Israel's compromise with Turkey on the Marmara incident, Israel opened a representative office within NATO.

Aharon Leshno-Yaar, who serves as Israel's Ambassador to the EU, is also Ambassador to NATO.

Opening a representative office within NATO was of major importance and has led, among other things, to Israel being present during NATO debates, as well as the intelligence cooperation agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to visit Brussels on December 11, will meet with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in addition to a meeting with the EU Council of Foreign Ministers.

Netanyahu’s visit to Brussels will be the first by a Prime Minister of Israel in 22 years.

EJP