The United States has imposed sanctions on retired General Tal Dilian, a former official in the Israeli military intelligence (Aman), and his wife Sarah Hamu, as well as on a company known as Intellexa, which they own, based in Greece. This was reported by “Yedioth Ahronoth” in Hebrew and the English-language “Times of Israel.”
The sanctions, which included five business entities linked to a network of companies owned by the couple and registered in Greece, Ireland, North Macedonia, and Hungary, were imposed due to the company’s development of spyware programs targeting US officials and journalists. One such program, named “Predator,” has been used against senior officials in the US government.
The US Treasury Department stated in a press release: “The sanctions were imposed due to their involvement in the development, operation, and distribution of commercial spyware used against US targets, including government officials, journalists, and policy experts. The distribution of commercial spyware presents an escalating security threat to the US from foreign entities who have used it to violate human rights, persecute, and pursue regime opponents.”
The statement also mentioned that the “Predator” program is capable of penetrating electronic devices without the owners noticing the extraction of information and its use as a spying and surveillance tool. The company owned by the former Aman intelligence officer sold the program to dictatorial regimes worldwide and used it against American targets as well.
The US has been a consistent ally, offering substantial aid, which has included around $150 billion in bilateral assistance and missile defense funding up to 2022. This support underscores the US’s commitment to Israel’s security, which is seen as integral to maintaining regional stability and countering shared threats, particularly from Iran and its proxies.
The relationship has seen moments of tension, particularly regarding peace negotiations with the Palestinians and settlement expansions in contested areas. Yet, significant strides in peace efforts were made during Bill Clinton’s presidency in the 1990s, including Israel’s peace treaty with Jordan. The dynamic between the two nations has also been influenced by the personal relationships between their leaders, with varying degrees of warmth and tension across different US administrations.
Under the Trump administration, US-Israel ties grew stronger, with significant policy shifts such as the US no longer viewing Israeli settlements as illegal and recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump’s tenure, marked a new chapter in Israel’s regional relationships, though they also sparked criticism for sidelining Palestinian interests.
More recently, under the Biden administration, the US and Israel reaffirmed their strong strategic partnership and mutual commitments to security, democracy, and regional stability during a meeting in Jerusalem in 2022. Both nations emphasized their dedication to confronting shared threats and furthering peace and prosperity in the Middle East. This partnership continues to adapt to new challenges, including the evolving geopolitical landscape and technological advancements.
