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Yoram Cohen appointed next head of Shin Bet
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday appointed Yoram Cohen as the next head of Israel’s Security Services, the Shin Bet, which handles internal security in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Cohen will replace outgoing head Yuval Diskin whose six year term comes to an end on 15 May.
In announcing his decision yesterday, Netanyahu lauded Diskin for his “important and effective” contribution as Shin Bet chief over the last six years. “I am certain that in thanking him, I am doing so on behalf of all Israeli citizens,” Netanyahu said.
Cohen was a former deputy of the Shin Bet and a leading candidate for the position. He joined the Shin Bet more than 30 years ago after serving in the Golani Brigade in the IDF. “Yoram was the spearhead of activity in the agency over the past few years,” Netanyahu said. “Cohen is a real field man.”
Cohen takes over the position at a time of increased violence. He will face the challenges of dealing with Hamas’s escalation in the south; maintaining security in Jerusalem and the West Bank, following recent terrorist attacks; instability along the Gaza-Egypt border an uncertainty in the north with Hezbollah now in a strong position in the Lebanese government.