Former Mossad heads warn of leadership crisis in Israel

6 ex-directors of Israeli intel agency say Israel in critical condition. 'Something bad happened to leadership.' Minister Bennett disagrees.

Hezki Baruch,

Shabtai Shavit
Shabtai Shavit
Ben Kelmer/FLASH90

Six former Mossad chiefs complained in an interview with Yediot Aharonot about Israel's “critical condition.”

For example, Shabtai Shavit, who headed the intelligence agency from 1989 to 1996, said, "I feel very bad about what is happening in the country today. The corruption is so deep, so comprehensive, there are no red lines, no taboos and, add to that - the rift within the people."

Tamir Pardo, who was head of the Mossad from 2011-2016, said that "the problem is over values, rifts," and criticized Netanyahu's government. "We need leadership that can navigate between the crises to the right places, and unfortunately, it does not exist today."

Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) responded to the former heads of the Mossad and said, "Just not true. The state is in excellent condition. For most of our leadership, the good of the country trumps everything.

"Every day I meet ministers, MKs and public servants who really care about the state and get up every morning with happiness to serve. Youth are volunteering at an unprecedented scale, high-tech is flourishing, the periphery is getting stronger, education is soaring. Israel is in a good direction, "Bennett asserted.