Thread by @KimZetter

Israel Defense Ministry *visited* office of NSO Group today - the maker of Pegasus. "Reps from a number of bodies came to NSO today to examine the publications and allegations raised in its case." I initially tweeted that it was a raid; but it appears media misreported that

https://twitter.com/MoDIsrael/status/1420420281299050504

NSO confirmed that government representatives visited its office today: “We welcome their inspection... We are confident that this inspection will prove the facts are as declared repeatedly by the company against the false allegations,” the company said in a statement.

Yediot Ahronot, one of Israel's largest newspapers, says the gov has launched an investigation into the allegations against NSO, and the visit at the company's office was pre-arranged with NSO. ynet.co.il/news/article/r…

Visit to NSO coincides w/ Israeli Minister of Defense visit to France, where he was expected to answer allegations that NSO software might have been used to spy on Macron. Yediot Ahronot suggests visit to NSO was diplomatic theater to give appearance Israel takes issue seriously.

Yediot (translation): "Despite the unusual move on the part of the Ministry of Defense, the possibility that it will lead to substantial sanctions on NSO is slim. The [gov] and the NSO have complementary interests, and in the past it has used its power to protect the company"

Yediot (translation): "it is likely that its purpose is to create the appearance of [an investigation] in an attempt to sweep the affair under the rug as quickly as possible, and allow the NSO to continue its activities with as few interruptions as possible..."

"In light of the Defense Ministry's past conduct... it also seems unlikely that the public will be presented with detailed findings on the course of the investigation and its findings, beyond perhaps a final decision that no material defect was found in NSO's conduct"

According to Yediot Ahronot, Israel's Defense Minister told France today that Macron's phone was not hacked by NSO's Pegasus software. Macron's name had appeared on a controversial list that media outlets called a "wishlist" of spy targets. Here's a translation of the headline: