clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Netanyahu: Mossad is 'spearhead of the State of Israel'

July 7, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his country’s intelligence agency Mossad as “the spearhead of the State of Israel”, Anadolu news agency reported.

Netanyahu’s remarks came during a ceremony held yesterday evening at the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the agency’s operational wing.

The ceremony was attended by former Prime Ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, Defence Minister, Moshe Ya’alon and Minister of Intelligence Affairs, Yuval Steinitz.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office quoted Netanyahu as saying: “You are the spearhead of the State of Israel. The capabilities are big and are changing and developing and seem unattainable. The reality is changing at an amazing pace and the tasks conveyed upon you are increasing. The importance of Mossad’s role increases and I will give you everything that you need in order to perform these duties. We applaud your work and big contribution in enhancing the security of Israel.”

Meanwhile, Mossad Director Tamir Pardo praised “the operations carried out by Mossad since its establishment and until today.”

Pardo is reported to have that Mossad is committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear military capabilities. This, he explained, is their mission. However this was not the biggest challenge Mossad faced, he explained “the greatest threat is the Palestinian issue”.