Netanyahu names Cohen as new Mossad chief

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has named his National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen as the new director of Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad.

Formerly a deputy director of the Mossad, Cohen was named national security adviser in 2013, becoming the fourth intelligence agency official to head the National Security Council, which operates under the Prime Minister's Office.

Cohen, 54, will be the Mossad's 12th director. The married father of four has been a part of the Israeli defense establishment for the past 30 years. He held various operational and executive positions in the Mossad, including heading Tzomet, the intelligence agency's international operations unit.

"Yossi Cohen has 30 years of experience in operational, intelligence and executive positions. His service with the Mossad has seen him acquire extensive knowledge in the workings of complex systems and the international theater, and he has a wealth of experience working with the defense establishment," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Netanyahu announced the nomination in a special press conference on Sunday night. "My first goal as prime minister is to bolster Israel's security opposite the global turmoil prompted by radical Islam. Radical Islam is led by two forces, Iran and Islamic State, which exercise violence and terrorism in our region, and effectively threaten the Middle East and the entire world," he said. "Radical Islam's terrorism has stuck Paris, London, Istanbul, Mali and California, and it has also struck us. Palestinian terrorism stems from a fundamental objection to our very existence, and it is fueled by false religious incitement suggesting we allegedly seek to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"The men and women of the Mossad work year-round, demonstrating exceptional courage and ingenuity, at times at considerable personal risk. They do so to ensure Israel's security versus the threat of terrorism, the Iranian threat and many other threats.

"The Mossad is an operational body, an intelligence apparatus, and at times the one that paves the way for diplomatic moves, especially where countries with which we do not maintain official ties are concerned," Netanyahu said.

"When considering the nomination of the next Mossad director I had to consider these three components: The operational tier, where the Mossad will continue to bolster our security via operations whose details are best left unsaid; the intelligence tier, where the Mossad will continue to adjust its abilities to the age of cybertechnology, so it can maintain its position as one of the leading intelligence agencies in the world; and the diplomatic tier, where the Mossad will continue to assist me, as prime minister, in developing international ties, including with Arab and Muslim nations.

"These ties were evident during my visit to Paris last week, where I met with many world leaders, who expressed their appreciation of Israel as a nation that stands steadfast against radical Islam and wages a relentless war or terror.

"The Mossad director must be able to lead the agency boldly, wisely and professionally," Netanyahu continued. "Choosing between the candidates was not easy, but we were spoiled for choice, and the three people considered for this position are outstanding, highly experienced and very capable individuals. After careful consideration, I have decided to name Yossi Cohen as the new Mossad director."