Reports of the FBI investigation, much of which has been shrouded in secrecy since it was first disclosed last summer, suggest that a low-level Pentagon official, Larry Franklin, passed classified information to AIPAC (American Israel Pubic Affairs Committee) officials who are suspected of spying for Israel.
The two fired AIPAC employees are Steven Rosen, its policy director, and Keith Weissman, its senior analyst on Iran. According to a report in the New York Times, the employees were fired after federal prosecutors unsuccessfully attempted to settle the case with a plea bargain.
The firings represent a significant about-face for the pro-Israel lobby, which so far stood resolutely behind the two men, even as FBI agents raided AIPAC offices in August and December of last year.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the two AIPAC employees were “set-up” by the FBI, apparently by having Franklin, an FBI plant who knew Rosen and Weissman, pass them “classified” information regarding Iranian plans to kidnap and kill Israelis working in the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq.
Rosen and Weissman are suspected of tipping off the Israeli embassy in Washington of the Iranian plan.
According to a report in the Washington Post, citing law enforcement officials, Franklin purportedly provided the AIPAC employees with a draft presidential directive on Iran, as well as other information, that was passed on to Israel. Law enforcement officials told the paper that federal prosecutors are considering filing criminal charges in the case.
After being suspended from his former job as a Pentagon policy analyst, Franklin, who according to reports, has been cooperating with federal prosecutors, is back to work at the Defense Department, but without his security clearances.
The two AIPAC employees, who until their firing were on paid leave since January, are maintaining their innocence of any wrongdoing. According to a statement issued by their lawyers, “Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman have not violated any US law or AIPAC policy. Contrary to press accounts, they have never solicited, received or passed on any classified documents. They carried out their job responsibilities solely to serve AIPAC's goal of strengthening the US-Israel relationship.”
AIPAC’s spokesman, Patrick Dorton, responding to the lawyers’ statement, said, “The statement made by Rosen and Weissman represents solely their view of the facts,” said Dorton. “The action that AIPAC has taken was done in consultation with counsel after careful consideration of recently learned information and the conduct AIPAC expects of its employees.”
The developing scandal has cast a pall over AIPAC’s activities, stirring concern among some of the organization’s wealthy donors. Some supporters are worried that the scandal might undercut U.S. support of Israel.
Despite the turmoil, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be a featured speaker at AIPAC’s upcoming annual meeting in May, alongside Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and senior Congressional leaders.
The two fired AIPAC employees are Steven Rosen, its policy director, and Keith Weissman, its senior analyst on Iran. According to a report in the New York Times, the employees were fired after federal prosecutors unsuccessfully attempted to settle the case with a plea bargain.
The firings represent a significant about-face for the pro-Israel lobby, which so far stood resolutely behind the two men, even as FBI agents raided AIPAC offices in August and December of last year.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the two AIPAC employees were “set-up” by the FBI, apparently by having Franklin, an FBI plant who knew Rosen and Weissman, pass them “classified” information regarding Iranian plans to kidnap and kill Israelis working in the Kurdish areas of northern Iraq.
Rosen and Weissman are suspected of tipping off the Israeli embassy in Washington of the Iranian plan.
According to a report in the Washington Post, citing law enforcement officials, Franklin purportedly provided the AIPAC employees with a draft presidential directive on Iran, as well as other information, that was passed on to Israel. Law enforcement officials told the paper that federal prosecutors are considering filing criminal charges in the case.
After being suspended from his former job as a Pentagon policy analyst, Franklin, who according to reports, has been cooperating with federal prosecutors, is back to work at the Defense Department, but without his security clearances.
The two AIPAC employees, who until their firing were on paid leave since January, are maintaining their innocence of any wrongdoing. According to a statement issued by their lawyers, “Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman have not violated any US law or AIPAC policy. Contrary to press accounts, they have never solicited, received or passed on any classified documents. They carried out their job responsibilities solely to serve AIPAC's goal of strengthening the US-Israel relationship.”
AIPAC’s spokesman, Patrick Dorton, responding to the lawyers’ statement, said, “The statement made by Rosen and Weissman represents solely their view of the facts,” said Dorton. “The action that AIPAC has taken was done in consultation with counsel after careful consideration of recently learned information and the conduct AIPAC expects of its employees.”
The developing scandal has cast a pall over AIPAC’s activities, stirring concern among some of the organization’s wealthy donors. Some supporters are worried that the scandal might undercut U.S. support of Israel.
Despite the turmoil, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be a featured speaker at AIPAC’s upcoming annual meeting in May, alongside Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and senior Congressional leaders.