JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s authorities on Sunday rejected claims raised in paperwork allegedly leaked from the Pentagon that leaders of its international intelligence service Mossad had supported nationwide protests towards a proposed overhaul of Israel’s judiciary.

The New York Instances on Saturday printed an evaluation it attributed to a Central Intelligence Replace from March 1 that Mossad management had inspired its employees and Israeli residents to affix the mass protests. The paper mentioned that whereas the leaked paperwork appeared genuine, it didn’t imply they had been correct.

The workplace of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned in a press release that the report was “mendacious and with none basis in any respect”.

“The Mossad and its senior officers didn’t – and don’t – encourage company personnel to affix the demonstrations towards the federal government, political demonstrations or any political exercise,” it mentioned.

Netanyahu’s overhaul plan has sparked unprecedented public anger since his coalition of hard-right and spiritual events got here to energy late final 12 months, and has additionally prompted alarm amongst Israel’s Western allies.

The proposed laws would allow parliament to override Supreme Courtroom choices and maintain management over judicial appointments.

After weeks of intensifying demonstrations, Netanyahu in late March relented and mentioned he would delay the contested reforms to permit for compromise talks with opposition events.

The U.S. Justice Division mentioned on Friday it was in contact with the Protection Division and had started a probe into the leak of the alleged paperwork, masking a number of topics regarding nationwide safety. It declined additional remark.