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# AIPAC Case Impacting Security Clearances

(New York Sun) Josh Gerstein - The Pentagon is invoking the prosecution of two pro-Israel lobbyists and a Defense Department analyst for illegal use of classified information as a basis for stripping security clearances from government contractor employees who have dual citizenship in America and Israel or family members living in the Jewish state. In at least three instances, Defense Department attorneys have used or attempted to use the AIPAC case to justify withdrawing a security clearance or denying one in the first place, according to Virginia lawyer Sheldon Cohen. Cohen, who recently completed a study of the Israel-related security clearance cases, found that "an unusually large number" of the public cases involving concerns about foreign influence appear to relate to Israel. One case involved a Lockheed employee who was born in Israel but emigrated to America 25 years ago. More than 7 years ago he was granted a "secret" clearance for work on the F-22 fighter jet project. A few months ago, defense department officials moved to revoke his clearance, citing his possession of an Israeli passport and the fact that his mother and siblings live in Israel.
2006-05-18 00:00:00
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