BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has today appointed the outgoing Deputy Chief of Mossad, Yossi Cohen, to the role of National Security Advisor at the Prime Minister’s Bureau. The Civil Service Commission has already approved Cohen’s appointment, and government ministers are expected to approve the move on Sunday.  The current National Security Advisor, Yaakov Amidror, is expected to retire in a few months, as he had coordinated with Netanyahu prior to the elections.

 

Cohen has served in Israel’s security establishment for the past 30 years. In the last two years he has served as deputy to the chief of Mossad, Tamir Pardo. He was also the director of Tzomet, the international network operation headquarters of the Mossad, and received the Israel Defence Prize.

 

Netanyahu said Wednesday that Cohen’s background and special skills make him the most qualified for the role of national security advisor. “Cohen has served Israel with great success and he is well versed in many national and international security issues.”.

 

Netahnyahu added: “I wish to thank Major-General Amidror for his service in the past two and a half years; we will surely rely on his experience and skills in the future, so he may continue to contribute to the safety and well-being of Israel.”