Video: Pollard speaks on Tuesday / Credit: Kan Reshet Bet

In the interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Pollard explained that he realized the full scale of the national failure through his own life: "I assumed my abandonment and the betrayal of me was an exceptional incident on Israel's part. But on October 7, I realized I was no exception. I realized the entire country was abandoned and betrayed. At that point, I concluded that I must do something to the best of my ability to prevent such a tragedy."

He directly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct during, particularly regarding the conflict with Iran and the air force's turning back after the attack in Beersheba due to US pressure: "Throughout the war, Netanyahu should have stood firm against Trump when it comes to Israel's security interests."

Regarding the meeting with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and the backlash he received, Pollard dismissed all claims of a secret meeting, insisting it contained no details indicating improper involvement: "There was nothing secret in the meeting." Later in the interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Pollard leveled harsh criticism at the American intelligence community: "The CIA serves as a tool of the Democratic Party. My advice is that its branch here at the American Embassy should be cleaned out, and people who reflect the president's agenda should be brought in."

Speaking about his time in American prison, Pollard made public the trauma he experienced behind bars : "I was raped in prison as revenge for my actions for Israel. I'm glad that some of the hostages are talking about it now ." He added, "It is necessary to understand the monsters we are dealing with."

Pollard, who is contemplating running in the upcoming elections, linked his political aspirations to what he witnessed as an Israeli citizen after October 7 : "I concluded that I must do something to the best of my ability to prevent such a tragedy."

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Pollard confirmed the meeting to the newspaper and noted this was the first time an American official hosted him in an office since his release. "It was a friendly meeting," he was quoted as saying. It should be noted that after being released from prison, Pollard is prevented from returning to the US, so the meeting with Huckabee could only take place in Israel.

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At the conference, Cohen revealed cases where the Mossad during his tenure shared life-saving intelligence, including with Australia. "We gave the Australians probably one of the most critical intelligence items, which saved hundreds of lives, when a bomb was en route to an Etihad aircraft scheduled to depart Sydney for Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This was our intelligence, and what do we receive back from Australia?" Cohen asked, referring to Canberra's recognition of a Palestinian state.

Cohen indicated Israel provides life-saving intelligence to other Western intelligence agencies, primarily the American CIA and British MI6. Cohen emphasized Israel shouldn't stop intelligence sharing, explaining, "We need to trade this coordinated intelligence, which ultimately saves lives, for improved support. I'm not proposing the Mossad or Israel's intelligence forces cease collecting or sharing intelligence with our global partners to protect other people's lives [meaning non-Israelis], but I am proposing we trade it differently."

Earlier this week, the Mossad exposed an Iranian operative who planned attacks in Australia, Germany and Greece. Cohen officially stated at the conference he won't run in the upcoming elections. However, he didn't rule out entering political life later. When asked about running for office in elections a year away, Cohen responded, "The answer is no. Not now. We'll see what develops."

Cohen revealed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously told him he considered him his successor. "When I served as Mossad chief, Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested I was his successor. One day I approached him and asked if he genuinely said this, and he confirmed it, explaining his reasoning. This occurred in 2018 or 2019 I believe, and then my wife responded, 'No, absolutely not. We're not entering this.' But I believe everything shifted dramatically after October 7, and there's a need for fresh leadership. So the possibility can't be completely ruled out. I'm weighing everything, but my decision now is no."

Video: Yossi Cohen at the Shurat Hadin conference with Ariel Kahana / Credit : Ohad Kab

Regarding the war-ending agreement, Cohen stated, "This isn't the perfect agreement, but currently it's time for a ceasefire and this was a price worth accepting for freeing the hostages. I don't believe the US or other parties will block Israel from combating terror going forward. Israel should decide whether to cut all ties with Qatar once all deceased hostages return. We lack genuine relations with them, we merely used them as intermediaries for channeling funds to Gaza, ostensibly for the population's welfare, but actually they reached Hamas. This was an error, designed for humanitarian assistance, but concluded with the money financing terror."

Attorney Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, president of the Shurat HaDin organization and conference organizer, concluded, "The war isn't over yet. The policy threats to create a Palestinian state combined with The Hague court's hostility lead to an unprecedented surge in Israel hatred and antisemitism. We must consolidate all forces addressing this issue to push back. Let the entire world understand it's unacceptable to allow terror to gain strength. We must combat it on the battlefield, in courtrooms and also in the global public opinion sphere. If we work together, we can secure the future of the Jewish people in the Land and throughout the Diaspora."

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Trump's suggestion that his administration was evaluating Venezuelan territory strikes represented a substantial advancement beyond recent Caribbean boat attacks that killed 27 people, which Democratic lawmakers and United Nations specialists vigorously criticized as international law violations, according to The Guardian. "No to war in the Caribbean … no to regime change … no to coups d'état orchestrated by the CIA," Maduro stated during an address to a committee established after Washington deployed Caribbean naval vessels for claimed anti-narcotics operations, The Guardian reported.

The president's CIA remarks verified earlier New York Times reporting about classified directives concerning clandestine Venezuela operations, with Trump stating his administration evaluated land-based options while refusing to clarify whether the CIA possessed Maduro elimination authorization, according to The Guardian. Trump defended intervention by reiterating unsubstantiated assertions that Venezuela released prisoners, including mental health facility inmates, into America and transported substantial drug quantities by sea, claims specialists have consistently questioned, The Guardian reported.

Earlier this month administration's declaration that America entered "armed conflict" with drug cartels triggered congressional anger from both major parties, with members arguing Trump effectively committed war acts without seeking authorization, according to The Guardian. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democratic member on Senate foreign relations committee, stated Wednesday that while supporting trafficking crackdowns, the administration exceeded boundaries: "The Trump administration's authorization of covert CIA action, conducting lethal strikes on boats and hinting at land operations in Venezuela slides the United States closer to outright conflict with no transparency, oversight or apparent guardrails," Shaheen stated, according to The Guardian. "The American people deserve to know if the administration is leading the US into another conflict, putting servicemembers at risk, or pursuing a regime-change operation."

Following another boat strike, Maduro ordered military exercises in Venezuela's largest shantytown on Wednesday and mobilized military, police, and civilian militia to defend the nation's "mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, factories and markets," The Guardian reported. Trump characterized victims as "narcoterrorists" without evidence and claimed strikes targeted Tren de Aragua gang members, assertions the White House has not substantiated, according to The Guardian.

UN specialists stated in September that vessel strikes violated international law, with a Democratic congressman declaring attacks constituted "illegal killings" that "wouldn't stand up in a single court of law," The Guardian reported. Earlier this year, the Trump administration cited an unverified Tren de Aragua affiliation to expedite Venezuelan deportations to the notorious El Salvador prison, while Trump advocated terminating temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel, charges the leader denies, with Washington doubling the capture bounty to $50 million in August, according to The Guardian.

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The recent revelation that the CIA once searched for the Ark of the Covenant raises an intriguing question: Why isn't Israel actively searching for Temple artifacts like the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, and especially the Ark of the Covenant?

According to recently published CIA documents from 2000, the agency conducted an experiment in 1988 where a medium was given coordinates of an undisclosed item. The medium claimed the location housed the Ark of the Covenant, protected by supernatural forces.

This revelation, published in the Daily Mail, resembles the plot of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. However, it raises serious questions about why these invaluable Jewish artifacts have never become targets for Israeli archaeological missions.

Why hasn't Israel conducted significant archaeological operations around Jerusalem to verify legends about these items being hidden before the destruction of the First Temple? Additionally, why hasn't Israel approached the Vatican to determine if some Second Temple artifacts brought to Rome by Titus might be stored in their vaults?

Several prominent rabbis offered their perspectives:

Rabbi Dr. Ronen Lubitch, rabbi of Nir Etzion and president of the Torah and Work Movement, believes Israel has "enough conflicts and fronts in the Middle East" without opening another with the Vatican, which represents over a billion believers worldwide.

Rabbi David Stav, rabbi of Shoham and chairman of Tzohar, noted that throughout Jewish history, many have attempted to find Temple artifacts, but "there was never such a halachic obligation" to push the state toward such an initiative.

Rabbi Chaim Navon points out that while these publications are dubious, if there were genuine information suggesting the location of these artifacts, "it would obviously be incumbent on the state to lead these searches."

The article concludes that these ancient Temple artifacts will reappear when the Jewish people advance spiritually, rather than through archaeological expeditions.

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Classified documents from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that have been declassified reveal a surprising attempt to locate the Ark of the Covenant – one of Judaism's most sacred treasures – using unconventional methods. This was published Wednesday evening by the British Daily Mail.

According to documents declassified in 2000, in 1988 the CIA conducted an experiment as part of a secret project called "Sun Streak," in which they used people with "remote viewing" capabilities – that is, the ability to perceive information about distant places, events, or people through extra-sensory abilities.

In one of the experiments, a person identified as "Remote Viewer Number 032" was given coordinates to locate an unknown target. Without being told what the exact target was, he described a "container," which according to the document matches descriptions of the Ark of the Covenant.

"Target is a container. This container has another container inside of it. The target is fashioned of wood, gold and silver," the viewer was quoted in the document. The viewer continued to describe that the ark-like object is located "somewhere in the Middle East" and that he heard people in the area speaking Arabic.

According to Jewish tradition and biblical sources, the Ark of the Covenant was built by the Israelites shortly after the exodus from Egypt. Moses placed within it the Tablets of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments. The Ark was considered the most sacred object and resided in the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Temple in Jerusalem, until it disappeared during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.

The document describes mysterious details about the Ark that do not appear in traditional sources. According to the viewer's description, "The target is hidden underground, dark and wet," and that "The purpose of the target is to bring a people together. It has something to do with ceremony, memory, homage, the resurrection. There is an aspect of spirituality, information, lessons and historical knowledge far beyond what we now know."

One of the fascinating descriptions in the document states that "The target is protected by entities and can only be opened by those who are authorized to do So this container will not/cannot be opened until the time is deemed correct. Once it is time to open the container, the mechanics of the lock system will be found to be fairly simple. Individuals opening the container by prying or striking are destroyed by the container's
protectors through the use of a power unknown to us."

Friendly reminder that the CIA, in declassified documents, admits that the Ark of the Covenant is real and documented. https://t.co/wR4DDHdVBU pic.twitter.com/Yy3P8Oixey

— Theoteron (@theoteron) August 13, 2021

The report also includes sketches of a domed mosque, eight "mummies" arranged side by side, a wheel, and a winged creature called a "seraph." Additionally, it includes lists of meaningful words such as "death," "forbidden," "protected," "afraid," "destroyed," "pain," and "torment."

Many theories have been proposed in the past regarding the current location of the Ark of the Covenant. While some historians believe it was lost forever, others believe it was taken to Ethiopia and is kept in a church called "Mary of Zion." However, researchers who examined this possibility claim that what is kept there is merely a much later copy of the Ark.

Despite the considerable skepticism regarding the unconventional methods used in the CIA research, the revelation raises anew the question of whether the Ark of the Covenant, one of Judaism's most sacred objects, still exists somewhere waiting to be rediscovered.

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The Central Intelligence Agency has revised its position on the origins of COVID-19, now suggesting a laboratory incident in China as the more probable source of the virus, CNN reported Saturday.

"CIA continues to assess that both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic remain plausible," a CIA spokesperson said, according to CNN. "We have low confidence in this judgement and will continue to evaluate any available credible new intelligence reporting or open-source information that could change CIA's assessment."

According to CNN, Director John Ratcliffe prioritized this assessment upon taking office. "I've been on record as you know in saying I think our intelligence, our science, and our common sense all really dictates that the origins of COVID was a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology," Ratcliffe said.

A US official noted that the assessment predated the current administration. The evaluation emerged from a review of existing information rather than new intelligence gathering, as officials indicated such new data would be unlikely to surface years after the event.

The Office of the Director of Intelligence's 2023 report maintained that US intelligence agencies unanimously agree COVID-19 was not developed as a biological weapon, CNN reported. Additionally, most American intelligence agencies concluded the virus was not genetically engineered.

While scientists continue to debate between natural transmission and laboratory origins, the intelligence community has not reached a high-confidence determination on the pandemic's source, maintaining divided positions on this crucial question.

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Moe Berg is a name that may not ring a bell for everyone, but his life story is one of the most fascinating tales of the 20th century. A Jewish American who went from being a professional baseball player to a CIA spy, Berg defied stereotypes and expectations at every turn. This article delves into the remarkable journey of Moe Berg, exploring his childhood, baseball career, espionage activities during World War II, and life after the war.

Moe Berg travelled to Switzerland to attend a lecture by the eminent German physicist Werner Heisenberg. His mission was to determine how close the Nazis were to an operational atomic bomb, & if they were close, he was to shoot Heisenberg, then kill himself.
But after listening… pic.twitter.com/uN6k6ivsjx

— Jim Koenigsberger (@Jimfrombaseball) October 2, 2024

 Moe Berg was born in Newark, New Jersey, to immigrant parents who fled the pogroms in Ukraine. His upbringing was typical for many Jewish families in America during the early 1900s. Living in a tenement, Moe faced antisemitic bullying and even changed his last name to avoid it. However, from a young age, he displayed exceptional talents that set him apart.

By the age of three, Moe was eager to attend school, demonstrating a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge. He excelled in sports, academics, and languages, ultimately earning a spot at Princeton University. There, he became known not just for his athletic prowess but also for his academic achievements, becoming proficient in multiple languages and even translating classical texts.

The major leagues

Berg's baseball journey began when he joined the Brooklyn Robins, transitioning through several major league teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. Although he played alongside legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, his performance on the field was modest. Critics often joked, "He can speak ten languages but can't hit in any of them," highlighting his struggles as a player.

Despite a less-than-stellar batting average, Berg's intelligence and versatility shone through. He balanced his baseball career with education, earning a law degree from Columbia University. His dual life as an athlete and scholar made him an anomaly in the sports world.

The Japan tour

In 1934, Berg embarked on a tour of Japan with a group of American baseball players, including Babe Ruth. He brought along a portable film camera, documenting his experiences and capturing footage of Tokyo. While some speculate that the US government may have recruited him for intelligence purposes, others believe he was simply fulfilling a personal interest in filmmaking.

This footage would later play a significant role in his life, but at the time, it served as a fascinating souvenir of his travels. The tour marked a pivotal moment for Berg, as it set the stage for his eventual involvement in espionage.

The OSS

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Berg's life took a dramatic turn. He began working for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA. His linguistic skills and athletic background made him an ideal candidate for various missions, including training fellow operatives for parachute drops into enemy territory.

One of Berg's most notable missions involved overseeing the extraction of Italian rocket scientists. While it wasn't a traditional kidnapping, he successfully persuaded a high-level aeronautic engineer to come to the United States, showcasing his charm and diplomatic skills.

Berg's most thrilling assignment came when he was tasked with infiltrating the German nuclear program. The US government was deeply concerned about the potential for the Nazis to develop atomic weapons. To gather intelligence, Berg attended a lecture by Werner Heisenberg, a prominent scientist behind the German nuclear efforts.

Equipped with a self-taught understanding of nuclear physics, a pistol, and orders to eliminate Heisenberg if necessary, Berg's mission was fraught with tension. Although Heisenberg's research did not indicate that Germany was close to developing a bomb, Berg's ability to navigate complex scientific discussions proved invaluable.

Life after World War II

After the war, Berg returned to the US, where he was awarded several medals for his service. However, he famously refused the Medal of Freedom, citing embarrassment. The post-war years were challenging for Berg, as he struggled to find his place in a world that had changed dramatically.

His brother noted that Berg seemed different after the war – moody and irritable. Some speculate that this change was linked to the CIA's refusal to send him to Israel or the failure of his last mission, which left him feeling disillusioned. Despite his past achievements, Berg found it difficult to reintegrate into civilian life.

In the years following the war, Berg withdrew from public life. He lived with his siblings and spent much of his time reading and reflecting on his past. Although he occasionally traveled and maintained friendships, his days were largely spent in solitude.

Despite his fame as a baseball player and a spy, few people in his neighborhood knew of his remarkable history. Berg's last words were reportedly about baseball, indicating that his love for the game remained strong until the end.

A legacy recognized

Moe Berg passed away in 1972, and his sister accepted his long-deferred Medal of Freedom, later donating it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. While Berg may not have been the most celebrated baseball player, his unique life story as a patriot, a polymath, and a Jewish American deserves recognition. Today, Moe Berg is remembered not just for his contributions to baseball but also for his extraordinary role in espionage during one of history's most tumultuous periods.

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Recent proposals by CIA Director William Burns have injected new momentum into the hostage release negotiations, Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported Thursday. The US-crafted proposal was reportedly developed in coordination with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with possible Turkish involvement.

According to the report, the American suggestion includes clear, unambiguous language in the agreement. This would ensure that negotiations between phases one and two would proceed under a guaranteed ceasefire or establish prolonged calm throughout the talks following phase one. The report noted that these proposals closely align with Hamas' central demand for a complete ceasefire.

Al-Akhbar also mentioned another American idea involving Israel's evacuation of the Rafah crossing as part of an agreement with Egypt on its management, without obligating Israel to fully withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor.

Hamas has since relayed its response to the Mossad, which has begun reviewing it. Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, engaged in discussions with mediators in Qatar and Egypt about ideas aimed at reaching an agreement. Haniyeh also conferred with senior Turkish officials about recent developments. According to a statement from the terrorist organization, Hamas is approaching the discussions' content with a positive attitude.

Some 120 Israelis remain in Gaza, having been taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. Forty-three of them have been declared dead, having been killed either during the onslaught or while in captivity.

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Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns met with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj Thursday, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar newspaper reports.

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The meeting was prompted by a report by United States diplomat Hady Amr, who visited Ramallah several weeks prior and alerted Burns of the PA's severe economic crisis.  

Besides discussing ways of improving the authority's economic situation, the three discussed the resumption of the peace process between Palestinians and Israel, according to anonymous sources cited by the paper. 

The officials also spoke of ways to improve the security coordination between Ramallah and Washington, stop Abbas' rival Hamas from taking over the PA leadership, and prevent another intifada. 

Al-Akhbar also reported on Thursday that following a faction meeting, Hamas decided it would take violent means against Israel unless it allowed Qatar to transfer $30 million to the Gaza Strip. 

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met on Sunday with United Nations Middle East coordinator Tor Wennesland to discuss the matter. The Gazan commander briefed reporters on the failure of the talks with the UN envoy and accused Israel of extortion, urging Palestinians to resist.

Israel is concerned that the resumption of Qatari payments could enable the terrorist organization to rebuild its military capabilities expended during the latest round of violence between Hamas and Israel. 

One suggested compromise includes using the money to directly fund UN projects in Gaza. The issue is supposed to be on the agenda of next week's meeting in Cairo between Israeli and Egyptian officials. 

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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