Another senior defense minister joins the management of the offensive cyber company NSO

Sharon Shalom, who was chief of staff of the defense minister, will switch to the controversial cyber company, whose software was allegedly used to spy against journalists and regime opponents in dark regimes earlier this month, learned that the chief censor was negotiating to join the company, and even sought to retire from the IDF

Sharon Shalom, who was the chief of staff of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman for three years, has been appointed senior position at the offensive cyber company NSO. Shalom joins the company in the role of external consultant. The company confirmed the details and said that "Sharon has been appointed director of the company's global policy framework."

Shalom remained in the post of defense minister, even after Lieberman's resignation from the defense ministry in November 2018, and until last August - and for a total of three years. He is considered the close associate of "Israel House" and has been accompanying him for a decade, and Netanyahu's decision to leave him in office surprised many people in the face of the great tension between the two over the past year.

Peace's transition from a sensitive and senior position in the Ministry of Defense to the ranks of one of the most controversial cyber companies is reminiscent of the transition of senior Treasury officials over the years to desirable positions in the private market. This is in the context of a “revolving door” of senior government and private market officials using the relationships they have built for themselves in public positions and using the knowledge they have acquired to advance the interests of private companies.

Peace is not the first to make this transition into the ranks of society. Earlier this month, it was learned that the chief censor, Brigadier General Ariella Ben Abraham, was conducting talks to join the NSO. Apparently, this is a role that will include a focus on regulation and communication. Ben Avraham, who has served as the military censor for over four years, is due to retire from the IDF in June, but has sought to advance her retirement.

Founded in 2010 by Shalio Julio and Omri Lavie, NSO manufactures various offensive cyber products. The company's leading product is Pegasus software that is classified as a security tool and, according to the company, is designed to help governments and intelligence organizations prevent terrorist acts. However, the company is considered controversial after it was previously revealed that the software was used to spy on journalists and regime opponents in dark regimes around the world.

In 2017, the NSO made headlines when the New York Times reported that the Mexican government is constantly monitoring political opponents using Pegasus software. A year later, the company made headlines again in the context of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashukji in 2018. Following the murder, a Saudi civilian filed a lawsuit against NSO in the Tel Aviv District Court, claiming that "the system (NSO - TS) was used to spy on the plaintiff's numerous conversations and messages with the late journalist. The espionage followed by the system made a real contribution to the decision to eliminate Mr Khashokji. "This claim was vigorously denied by the NSO.

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