In his book *Unleashed*, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a dramatic revelation about a 2017 incident involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Johnson claims that after Netanyahu used a bathroom during his visit to Johnson’s department, which was then the Foreign Office, a routine security sweep uncovered a bugging device hidden in the bathroom. The timing of the discovery, shortly after Netanyahu’s use of the facility, raises questions about potential espionage activities. Johnson, who served as Foreign Secretary at the time, describes the bathroom as a discreet "secret annex," comparing it to the exclusive gentlemen's clubs of London, adding an almost surreal quality to the discovery.
The revelation taps into long-standing concerns about Israel’s intelligence practices, especially as the country has been accused of spying on even its closest allies in the past. For instance, in 2019, a *Politico* report claimed that Israel was responsible for placing cellphone surveillance devices near high-security US government locations, including the White House. Although the Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, denied the accusations and then-US President Donald Trump dismissed them as "hard to believe," the reports reignited concerns about the extent of Israel's covert operations.
This isn’t the first time allegations of spying have surfaced between allied nations. Back in 2016, leaked US intelligence documents revealed by the French newspaper *Le Monde* suggested that the UK had spied on Israel’s government and its diplomatic missions abroad. Such reports highlight that even countries with close diplomatic ties may engage in clandestine surveillance operations against one another, driven by strategic interests, mutual suspicion, or intelligence-gathering priorities.
Johnson's allegation, while unverified, feeds into a broader narrative of espionage between allies and raises the stakes regarding Israel's international intelligence operations. Over the years, Israel has been both accused and acknowledged for having one of the most advanced and aggressive intelligence agencies globally, the Mossad. Its operations, including assassinations and cyberattacks, have made headlines worldwide. Allegations of spying on friendly nations add an extra layer of complexity to Israel’s diplomatic relationships.
The former British Prime Minister’s claim may provoke renewed scrutiny of Israel’s intelligence activities, particularly its willingness to gather sensitive information on allied countries. While some may view these incidents as standard practice in international relations, where intelligence-gathering is a critical tool of diplomacy, others may see it as a breach of trust. Johnson's anecdote invites reflection on the delicate balance between friendship and caution that governs relations between powerful nations.
Adding another dimension to Johnson's narrative, his portrayal of the Foreign Office setting as a sort of cloistered, exclusive realm — akin to "the gents in a posh London club" — evokes an image of an old-world diplomacy setting, where high-stakes international matters are discussed behind closed doors. The bathroom bugging incident in this context seems almost absurd, yet fitting for the world of espionage, where the most mundane settings can be battlegrounds for covert intelligence operations.
Moreover, Johnson's decision to disclose such an incident years later, in his memoir, may also speak to his own frustrations or ambitions regarding the international political stage. The timing of this revelation in *Unleashed* could be interpreted as a way for Johnson to reassert his influence in global affairs, especially as he reflects on his own experiences dealing with powerful world leaders. The bugging incident not only adds to his legacy as a key player in British foreign policy but also stirs speculation about the shadowy nature of international diplomacy.
In conclusion, Boris Johnson’s claim that a bugging device was found in his personal bathroom following Netanyahu's visit adds a captivating chapter to the book of international espionage and diplomacy. It revives age-old concerns about Israel’s intelligence tactics, raises questions about surveillance between friendly nations, and sheds light on the often murky waters of global political maneuvering. Whether the bugging was a deliberate act or mere coincidence, Johnson’s account brings attention to the fine line between alliance and espionage, and how even the most trusted relationships in international affairs may harbor hidden agendas.
Â
