THE FORMER head of Israel’s spy service has launched an unprecedented attack on the country’s government, describing it as “irresponsible and reckless”, and has praised Arab attempts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian agreement.
Meir Dagan stepped down as the head of Mossad six months ago but has gone on the offensive in a series of briefings with journalists and public appearances because he feels Israel’s security is being mismanaged by Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and Ehud Barak, the defence minister.
One newspaper quotes him as saying he, as head of Mossad; Yuval Diskin, the head of Sin Bet – the internal security agency; and Gabi Ashkenazi, the head of the army, could prevent Mr Netanyahu and Mr Barak from making mistakes. But all three have left their positions and been replaced by men chosen by the government.
“I decided to speak because when I was in office, Diskin, Ashkenazi and I could block any dangerous adventure. Now I am afraid that there is no one to stop Bibi [Netanyahu] and Barak,” said Mr Dagan. Upon leaving his post, he publicly warned against Israel attacking Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In his latest comments, he said that if Israel attacks Iran, it will find itself at the centre of a regional war that would endanger the state’s existence.
Mr Dagan’s intervention is dangerous for Mr Netanyahu because it comes from the right wing of Israeli opinion rather than the left, from where the prime minister would expect criticism. Mr Dagan has been in charge of aggressive Israeli actions abroad in recent years. They have included assassinations in Lebanon, Syria and Dubai and an air attack on a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria. He also criticised Israel’s failure to offer any initiative to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians.
The absence of any workable plan, he said, will leave Israel in a dangerous and weak situation if the Palestinians push for UN recognition of a state later this year.
Mr Dagan also endorsed Saudi Arabia’s peace plan, which offered Israel normal relations with all Arab countries if it reaches a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Leading columnist Ari Shavit summarised Mr Dagan’s point of view in the Ha’aretz newspaper: “Dagan is extremely concerned about September 2011.
“He is not afraid that tens of thousands of demonstrators may overrun the settlements. He is afraid that Israel’s subsequent isolation will push its leaders to the wall and cause them to take reckless action against Iran.”
Mr Dagan's criticism of Mr Netanyahu comes when the prime minister is enjoying popular support after his trip to Washington and speech to Congress. – ( Guardianservice)