Israeli Espionage in France

OPERATION RATAFIA (2010-2012): During a joint DGSE-Mossad operation concerning the Syrian chemical arsenal, Mossad took advantage of the collaboration to attempt recruiting French agents as double agents. Israeli agents used money and expensive gifts to attempt the recruitment. Following discovery, the DGSI filed a complaint with the Mossad representative in France. Several French agents saw their security clearance revoked and were silenced.

UNDERCOVER AGENT WITHIN SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE: An Israeli intelligence employee allegedly disguised herself as a 'consultant' and established contacts with senior French civil servants during conferences on security and international strategy.

PARIS AS AN OPERATIONAL BASE: According to Le Monde and Ynet, Mossad set up an operations room in Paris for the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh (Hamas leader) in Dubai in 2010. Paris regularly serves as a base for Mossad operations in Europe.

CONTEXT: Espionage between allies is a common practice (the USA spies on France, France spies on the USA, etc.). The Snowden affair revealed that the NSA was spying on Merkel and other European leaders. This does not diminish the seriousness of the facts but contextualizes them.