Report Suggests Israel Behind Attempt To Hack Into French Communication Network

U.S. officials deny involvement in May 2012 cyberattack on Elysee Palace, hinting that Mossad was responsible for attempt, according to leaked document published by Le Monde.

By Haaretz | Oct. 25, 2013

The Mossad may have been involved in an attempt to hack into the former French president's communications network, AFP reported on Friday, citing a leaked U.S. intelligence document obtained by the French daily Le Monde.

According to the report, France believed that the U.S. was behind the May 2012 cyber attack on the Élysée Palace. But the U.S. National Security Agency denied having anything to do with the hacking, hinting instead that the Israeli intelligence agency may have been responsible for it.

The statements were detailed in the latest note to emerge from the documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Parts of the note were published by Le Monde.

According to the report, the document was prepared earlier this year to brief NSA officials who were set to meet with senior French intelligence figures to discuss the attempt to breach the Elysee's communication system.

The document reportedly said that the NSA branch which handles cyber attacks, Tailored Access Operations (TAO), denied carrying out the attack. The U.S.' closest allies – Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand – also said they were not involved.

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http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.554461