NSO appoints former U.S. ambassador David Friedman as chairman amid investor takeover
Friedman joins spyware maker as it seeks removal from American blacklist.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman has been appointed chairman of Israeli spyware developer NSO Group, the company has announced.
Friedman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel during Donald Trump’s first term, joins NSO as the company finalizes its acquisition by a group of American investors. The move is expected to pave the way for NSO’s removal from the U.S. Commerce Department’s blacklist, potentially enabling it to resume operations in the United States.
“The company’s most important asset is you, the people of NSO,” Friedman told employees, according to a company statement. “NSO’s researchers and engineers are among the brightest minds in Israeli high-tech. In recent months, I have had the privilege of getting to know this wonderful team closely, who continue to move NSO forward despite significant challenges and maintain its position as an industry leader.”
In October, it was reported that a group of American investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds had agreed to acquire the Israeli spyware company in a deal worth several tens of millions of dollars.
Since March 2023, NSO’s shares have been held by a Luxembourg-based holding company controlled by founder Omri Lavie. The shares were transferred to Lavie by the company’s lender syndicate, which had extended a $500 million loan as part of the share buyback from Francisco Partners.
Under the new deal, NSO will be relieved of its debt, and Lavie’s involvement with the company will come to an end.
