An unprecedented security failure has been exposed at the Tel Nof and Chatzerim air force bases, Kol Yehudi reported on Monday.
Detailed maps of the bases, which included the locations of officers’ family residences, building entry codes, and sensitive operational areas, were transferred by an IDF project officer to an Arab worker via WhatsApp.
According to the report, the worker, who did not hold any security clearance, entered the base together with another worker, who also lacked clearance, with the approval of the base commander. The two wandered freely around the base, including areas that are supposed to be off-limits to outsiders.
During a surprise audit conducted by the General Staff in November 2024, the map was revealed, containing an accurate breakdown of the apartments in the family housing on the base. It included the names of the residents, apartment numbers, and identifying details of permanent personnel, pilots, and their families.
A thorough investigation that followed revealed a chain of even more serious failures. Arab workers entered the base using forged documents, smuggled another worker inside a vehicle without inspection, and even documented classified equipment with telephone cameras. In some cases, a worker submitted one phone for inspection but brought in another phone, without a SIM card, to circumvent the control. Workers also affixed fake “inspected” stickers to cell phones, enabling them to move around freely on the bases with phones despite the ban.
In addition, it was discovered that measures were taken to disrupt entry control systems at the base, and thefts of military equipment from containers took place. These are particularly sensitive bases, hosting fighter squadrons and operational facilities.
The report added that in another, particularly disturbing incident, one of the workers, who had security clearance, approached a soldier serving at the base and offered him a sum of NIS 30,000 in exchange for selling his personal weapon. The soldier immediately refused and reported the incident.
To understand the magnitude of the danger, it should be recalled that during the October 7 massacre, special forces soldiers found similar maps of IDF bases on the bodies of Nukhba terrorists, including sensitive information on family locations and internal codes.
The IDF spokesperson responded to an inquiry about the report by stating: “The allegations that have been published are under thorough investigation. A response will be provided in accordance with the findings of the examination.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
There is so failure in the liberal army and even more failures in the so called right wing government who failed to clean up the corrupt system
How are Arabs still employed in Israel let alone in the army?