Mossad chief opposes Netanyahu’s successor pick: Israeli press review

“Mossad chief opposes Netanyahu’s successor pick: Israeli press review Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 13:01 Meanwhile, civil aviation chief warns Ben Gurion Airport has become a ‘US military base’, while Israel’s move to Eurovision Asia is under consideration Israel's Mossad chief David Barnea speaks during the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) World Summit in the central coastal city of Herzliya, Israel, 10 September 2023 (AFP/Gil Cohen-Magen) Off Mossad chief voices 'integrity' concerns over potential successor Israel ’s Mossad chief David Barnea has warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nominee to replace him is unfit for the role, i24 News reported on Monday. In a four-page letter submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court ahead of Tuesday’s hearing on whether to approve Netanyahu’s appointment, Barnea said Roman Gofman had “a serious moral problem”. Gofman’s nomination last month sparked criticism in Israel. Netanyahu’s current military secretary, Gofman, has been accused of using an Israeli teenager in an intelligence operation that ended with the teenager’s arrest, before later disowning him. Referring to the affair, Barnea said Gofman was “unfit for the position of Mossad chief, may endanger his employees, and does not meet the standards of integrity required for this role”, according to Ynet . “The personal integrity and ethical conduct expected of the head of the Mossad do not allow for his appointment to the position,” Barnea said. Barnea added that Gofman’s behaviour “may indicate a recurring trait in a person who could cause damage within an organisation that operates without legal constraints or oversight, in a way that is highly unusual in the western world”. Israeli airport operating like a ‘US military base’ Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority Director-General Shmuel Zakay has warned the transport minister that the country’s main airport has effectively become an American military base since the start of the war on Iran , financial daily Calcalist reported on Monday. “Ben Gurion Airport has become a military airfield with limited civilian activity,” Zakay wrote in a letter to Transport Minister Miri Regev, warning that unless the situation changes, Israeli citizens could face rising travel costs. Netanyahu hints at US troop deployment against Iran in CBS interview Read More » Zakay added that the Israeli defence establishment’s understanding of the severity of the situation is "lacking”, saying that “under the current circumstances, the State of Israel has no international airport capable of operating efficiently”. According to the report, alongside rising aviation fuel costs caused by the war in Iran, Israeli airlines have also been forced to park aircraft abroad because of the number of US military planes stationed at Ben Gurion Airport, further increasing flight costs. Last week, Calcalist reported that parking aircraft overseas has cost Israeli airlines more than 60 million shekels in recent months. Only recently was the Transport Ministry able to relocate 12 US military aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport. According to Israeli business newspaper TheMarker , only 24 airlines are currently operating in Israel, including three Israeli carriers that accounted for 89 percent of airport traffic last month. Passenger numbers fell by 74 percent compared with April last year. Eurovision makes its mind up over Israel The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has recently discussed the possibility of moving Israel to its newly established Eurovision Asia song contest, Israeli news site Ynet reported on Monday. According to the report, the EBU consulted participants in the upcoming Asian edition of the popular competition, as well as countries considering joining the contest, on whether they would support Israel’s participation. 'Integrity costs something': Eurovision winners want Israel out of the contest Read More » The proposal reportedly faced “partial opposition” from some Asian countries. Eurovision Asia is set to be held for the first time in Bangkok in November, with 10 countries expected to participate, including Muslim-majority nations Malaysia and Bangladesh. The report said Israel had not been informed of the EBU’s proposal, which would ultimately require its approval. “Israel is located in Asia, which is why the issue was examined,” a source familiar with the discussions told Ynet, adding that “no decisions have been made yet, but this option was placed on the table”. Israel’s participation in Eurovision has sparked controversy since the genocide in Gaza, prompting the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Iceland to boycott this year's contest. Knesset advances West Bank antiquities bill The Israeli parliament has voted to advance a bill that would establish a government antiquities authority in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz reported on Tuesday. The proposal received preliminary approval and will now move to further debate in a Knesset committee. Under the bill, the new authority would be “solely responsible for handling all matters related to heritage, antiquities and archaeology” in the West Bank, taking over responsibilities currently held by the Israeli army’s Civil Administration. Israel 'imposes de facto annexation' with sweeping West Bank policy change Read More » Its powers would include excavations, site management, oversight of archaeological digs, and enforcement of related laws. The authority would operate across the entire territory, including Areas A and B, which are under Palestinian Authority control. The bill states its aim is to establish “direct state responsibility for the handling of antiquities and heritage and archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria [West Bank],” in order to improve management and reduce damage. However, the Israeli NGO Emek Shaveh , which works on cultural heritage rights, told Haaretz the legislation “does not protect antiquities” but instead turns them into “a policy tool used against the local population” in order to advance West Bank annexation. In February, the group told the Knesset the bill could endanger Palestinian communities near heritage sites, warning that expanded oversight “opens the door wide to the advancement of racist and destructive policies”. Emek Shaveh also said the proposal “violates international law, the diplomatic agreements to which Israel is a signatory, and the rules of professional ethics". Israeli Press Review Tel Aviv, Israel News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

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