Shin Bet spied on civilians for years without Knesset approval - report

A limited committee formed by the Justice Ministry approved the plan and Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit later approved the plan as well.

Different types of 4G, 5G and data radio relay antennas for mobile phone networks are pictured on a relay mast operated by Vodafone in Berlin, Germany April 8, 2019. (photo credit: FABRIZIO BENSCH / REUTERS)
Different types of 4G, 5G and data radio relay antennas for mobile phone networks are pictured on a relay mast operated by Vodafone in Berlin, Germany April 8, 2019.
(photo credit: FABRIZIO BENSCH / REUTERS)
While the Shin Bet's surveillance of cellphones to track coronavirus patients has raised controversy as of late, Channel 13 reported that Israel's internal security service has been spying on civilians' cell phones for years as part of a secret program to fight ISIS.
The report remains unconfirmed by any official source and the Channel 13 report did not cite any source.
 
The program, referred to as "Dark Box" since its actual name is classified, used the automatic connection to the database of cellular companies to access civilians' phones. The Shin Bet used a particular filtering mechanism which granted the ability to access the cell phones of the vast majority of Israelis without anyone knowing. It is unclear how much data or how many people's phones were accessed by the Shin Bet in the program.
The Shin Bet conducted the program without Knesset approval or supervision, according to Channel 13.
A limited committee formed by the Justice Ministry approved the plan and Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit later approved the plan as well. The program was originally approved for half a year, but the approval was renewed multiple times, lasting at least two and a half years. The program may even still be ongoing.
When the Shin Bet found useful information, they would file requests with judges to issue wiretap orders or other orders, but would not inform the judges how the initial information was collected.
"The Shin Bet's methods of operation in the fight against terrorism and in general are confidential by the law and their exposure could lead to serious damage to state security," said the Justice Ministry to Channel 13. "Legal issues are often raised regarding the activity of the service for the examination and approval of the Attorney-General or someone on his behalf."