US INVOLVEMENT IN ISRAELI SPY CASE IN YEMEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-25-2-5-6
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: February 23, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: July 17, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-25-2-5-6 ej
MEMORANDUM
SECRET os
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
INFC-R.MATIQN
SECRET/NODIS xuly 170 197Z
MEMORANDUM FOR.,
FROM:
SU'BJ'ECT:
DR. KISSINNOZR.
lAB.OWO 'H. SAUN DERS
US involvement in Israeli Spy Case in Yemen
Sig co wants you to be aware of a minor new element in our relationship
with Israel which also gets involved in the current discussions on exchange
25X1 of prisoners.'
The situation arose when the Israelis asked Barbour whether we could
usefully intervene with the goveraunent of Yemen to discourage the
summary execution of one Baruch Mtaracht. He was sent to Yemen by
the Israeli intelligence service to observe any Palestinian activities there
being planned against Israeli, shipping. They believe that, if they can Just
foarestall summary execution,' they can work his release over time through
a variety of other channels,
Since zrac had Egyptian nationality, the
gyptians reportedly not only want to interrogate him but also want him
turned over to Egypt no Egypt can use him In any prisoner exchange with
Israel. The Syrians may also have proposed using him in their efforts. to
get their captured officers back from Israel. Also,' the Israelis are
apparently working through the Ethiopians,* with whom their security
services have a working relationship. The Yemenis told our Charge some
time ago- -perhaps not truthfully- that Mizrachi said he was working for
CIA. The Egyptian press has reportedly claimed that Mizracht was
supported by the US as well as by Israel, although these changes are so
common as not to mean much..
Our Charge in Sanaa judges that the chances for success of a humanitarian
approach are low. He does have enough of a relationship with the deputy
prime minister that he could mention the issue if some approach were
thought desirable, but he would obviously rather not get into this kind of
issue right at the start of our relationship. The potential usefulness of
Mizrachi in a prisoner exchange would seem to delay consideration of
execution, the main Israeli concern.
SECRET /NODIS
~.++sre+~ti per a~
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-25-2-5-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-25-2-5-6
lp
SECRETINODIS
Secretary Roger's has approved a response to the Israelis (a) givir-g
them all the information we have from Yemen including the name of the
Yemeni minister opposing turning Mizrachi over to the Egyptians but
(b) saying that we fear that US. intercession would, be of minimal help and
would risk damaging our new relationship without much chance of return.
S RET /NODLS
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-25-2-5-6