Israel’s ex-intelligence chief discloses clandestine commands from Netanyahu
The Israeli Prime Minister reportedly sought to have his domestic security agency monitor the heads of Mossad and the IDF to prevent any leaks regarding a classified plan for an attack on Iran. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly asked the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, to conduct surveillance on the commander-in-chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the head of the Mossad, according to former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen. Cohen, who led the organization from 2011 to 2016, was at the helm during a period when Israel was allegedly preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet radio, Cohen stated, “The prime minister asked me for things... and a lot of things I told him, ‘I’m not allowed to do that.’” He explained that there was a vital security operation under consideration, which required extensive planning and could potentially be compromised if leaked. Cohen noted, “The prime minister was afraid, justly as far as I’m concerned, that this issue, because it takes months to organize, will leak and get to places it shouldn’t and cause damage.”
Cohen elaborated, “The prime minister asked me to use my tools, that anyone privy to this operation would be surveilled by the Shin Bet, and if someone leaked it to someone or another, then we’d know and take care of him.”
The comments appear to reference a 2011 incident where Netanyahu sought to monitor then-IDF head Benny Gantz and Tamir Pardo, who was the Mossad director at the time. Both held knowledge of highly classified plans concerning potential strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
Cohen's recent statements seem to confirm earlier reports from 2018 by ‘Uvda,’ an investigative television program on Channel 12, which first disclosed the requests for surveillance. ‘Uvda’ reported that Cohen advised Netanyahu against employing “such drastic measures” against members of the IDF and Mossad.
Additionally, Cohen asserted that “people close to Netanyahu” were working to instigate a media narrative attributing blame for the deadly October 7 Hamas raid entirely to the military, an event that reportedly caught Israeli officials off guard.
In response, Netanyahu accused Cohen of being “deeply entrenched in a political campaign” and of attempting to create another “manufactured scandal.” The prime minister's office released a statement asserting, “The Prime Minister acted to protect a vital state secret, followed legal recommendations, acted according to the law, and did not infringe on anyone's rights.”
Gantz also reacted to Cohen’s comments, expressing that he was not surprised by Netanyahu’s behavior, as the prime minister has historically maintained a “toxic and suspicious attitude.” He noted, “Even when I came to him with mature operational plans, he was always suspicious, always briefed, always trying to find out if something was being hidden from him.”
Netanyahu, who has been in office longer than any other Israeli prime minister, served continuously from 2009 until June 2021 and returned to power in December 2022.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet radio, Cohen stated, “The prime minister asked me for things... and a lot of things I told him, ‘I’m not allowed to do that.’” He explained that there was a vital security operation under consideration, which required extensive planning and could potentially be compromised if leaked. Cohen noted, “The prime minister was afraid, justly as far as I’m concerned, that this issue, because it takes months to organize, will leak and get to places it shouldn’t and cause damage.”
Cohen elaborated, “The prime minister asked me to use my tools, that anyone privy to this operation would be surveilled by the Shin Bet, and if someone leaked it to someone or another, then we’d know and take care of him.”
The comments appear to reference a 2011 incident where Netanyahu sought to monitor then-IDF head Benny Gantz and Tamir Pardo, who was the Mossad director at the time. Both held knowledge of highly classified plans concerning potential strikes on Iran's nuclear program.
Cohen's recent statements seem to confirm earlier reports from 2018 by ‘Uvda,’ an investigative television program on Channel 12, which first disclosed the requests for surveillance. ‘Uvda’ reported that Cohen advised Netanyahu against employing “such drastic measures” against members of the IDF and Mossad.
Additionally, Cohen asserted that “people close to Netanyahu” were working to instigate a media narrative attributing blame for the deadly October 7 Hamas raid entirely to the military, an event that reportedly caught Israeli officials off guard.
In response, Netanyahu accused Cohen of being “deeply entrenched in a political campaign” and of attempting to create another “manufactured scandal.” The prime minister's office released a statement asserting, “The Prime Minister acted to protect a vital state secret, followed legal recommendations, acted according to the law, and did not infringe on anyone's rights.”
Gantz also reacted to Cohen’s comments, expressing that he was not surprised by Netanyahu’s behavior, as the prime minister has historically maintained a “toxic and suspicious attitude.” He noted, “Even when I came to him with mature operational plans, he was always suspicious, always briefed, always trying to find out if something was being hidden from him.”
Netanyahu, who has been in office longer than any other Israeli prime minister, served continuously from 2009 until June 2021 and returned to power in December 2022.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
