As a result of the suspension of Deputy Chief of Mission of the Israeli Embassy in Washington Dan Arbel, the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) has lowered his security clearance, apparently to a ministry entry level.

YWN reported that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered the 20-year veteran suspended, apparently due to a media leak that involved him prior to entering into his current position.

Speaking to the media on Thursday (8 Tishrei), the minister explained he and the ministry are not opposed to freedom of the press, but in this case, the latter was at the expense of state security and the leak attributed to Arbel was serious, one that demanded many resources and time to repair.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)