The United States did not inform Israel before arresting Ben-Ami Kadish on charges of passing to Israel classified information more than 20 years ago, State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters Tuesday. "I can assure you that the Justice Department did not inform the Israeli Government before they arrested the individual involved," Casey said. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has denied any knowledge of the issue. Kadima Knesset Member Tzachi HaNegbi, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday morning that every incoming prime minister makes sure that there are no Israeli agents working to violate American security.
Casey said there is a connection between the latest arrest and the case of Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life term in prison for passing on to Israel classified information when he was a Pentagon worker. He added that he is "not aware that there are any other cases or any other issues that people are pursuing that move beyond this 1980s period."