08 Feb 2022; MEMO: Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman yesterday described those who carry smartphones as "idiots".
"I previously told the army spokesperson Avi Benyahu, that only idiots are wandering with smartphones," Lieberman told Serogym, referring to recent reports that Israeli police hacked the phones of public figures and the son of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I repeat what I said previously, only idiots have smartphones."
The official pointed out that the case of secret wiretapping by the police was "true". "These are serious crimes, and this is the behaviour of criminals," he added.
Israel announced it was setting up a national inquiry yesterday after a newspaper reported illicit use by police of powerful spyware against confidantes of Netanyahu and other public figures.
