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."

The post 'The bomb was on its way to the plane': Mossad's Yossi Cohen reveals how Israel prevented an attack in a Western country appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

During the conference, Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen responded to a question from Israel Hayom regarding a possible entry into politics in next year's elections: "The answer is no. Not now. We'll see what happens next."

He went on to reveal, "When I was head of Mossad, Prime Minister Netanyahu hinted that I was his successor. One day I asked him if he had really said that, and he said yes, and explained why."

Cohen added, "I think everything changed dramatically after October 7. There's a need for new leadership. So I can't rule it out entirely. I'm weighing everything, but for now the decision is no."

On the hostages Cohen said: "I estimate that there are at least seven more deceased hostages whose whereabouts are known to Hamas. As for the rest, I'm not sure."

Speaking on the deal that ended the war, Cohen said: "It's not the ideal deal, but this is the right time for a ceasefire and the price was worth paying to bring the hostages home. I don't believe the US or others will stop Israel from fighting terrorism in the future."

On whether Iran and Hezbollah took part in the October 7 attacks, Cohen stated: "I'm not aware of any plan for a two-front invasion. If there had been one, the Mossad would have warned about it. Perhaps there simply wasn't such a plan." He added, "Regime change in Iran is possible. It will take several years. The Iranian people are suffering under a brutal regime. Those who dare to protest are hanged or shot. But I believe the time has come and if the world supports it, it will happen."

The post Yossi Cohen: 'Netanyahu said I was his successor' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

According to recordings obtained by Kan from a conference held in June 2022, Cohen expressed appreciation for the policy of transferring money from Qatar to Hamas, calling it "a blessing." Speaking in a closed forum, he praised Qatar's emir and credited him with helping preserve stability in Gaza through the "suitcases of dollars."

הקלטות יוסי כהן: יוני 2022, ראש המוסד לשעבר מקיים כנס סגור ומדבר על יחסי ישראל עם מדינות המפרץ, ואז הוא מדבר על קטר. כהן מתייחס למזוודות הדולרים ומכנה את המהלכים הקטרים ״ברכה״. הוא מוסיף מחמאות גדולות לאמיר קטר.
שנה וכמה חודשים לאחר מכן, הברכה הופכת לטבח. pic.twitter.com/OWhawVT9YA

— Suleiman Maswadeh סולימאן מסוודה (@SuleimanMas1) September 8, 2025

The disclosure contrasts with an interview Cohen gave this week to Israeli Channel 12, in which he shifted responsibility for the funding mechanism to other officials, including the Shin Bet security agency and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. In that interview, he insisted that he had opposed the policy on principle, arguing that it strengthened Hamas ahead of the October 7 massacre.

The post Recordings reveal former Mossad director praised Qatari cash for Hamas appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Cohen led the Mossad from 2016-2021 and was an active partner in preparations and targeted attacks on Iran's nuclear program throughout those years, including the seizure of nuclear archives. His name is rising as a potential candidate in upcoming elections, making the book's release sound like a logical step toward his leap into the political arena, should he announce a run.

Israel Hayom has learned that a ministerial committee for permits and publications received the book for approval and Cohen is currently receiving comments from the Israel Defense Forces and additional security bodies regarding intelligence publications contained in his book. Only after receiving responses from intelligence and security bodies will the ministers on the committee approve the book, and it will be sent to print.

Similar to other publications by former senior officials in the security establishment, every book that sees the light and deals with the core security activities of Israel undergoes approval by the ministerial committee before being sent to print. Similarly, Cohen, who headed the Mossad during critical years for handling and preparing for the Iranian nuclear issue, was required to receive committee approval.

The post Former Mossad director tells all in upcoming book appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Yossi Cohen, the former director of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, allegedly issued threats to a chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a series of clandestine meetings several years ago in order to torpedo its investigation against Israel.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Cohen's covert contacts aimed to pressure Fatou Bensouda into abandoning a war crimes investigation regarding its conduct in the Palestinian territories by Israel. Cohen's undisclosed approaches to Bensouda occurred in the years preceding her 2021 decision to launch a formal probe into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Palestinians. This investigation shifted into high gear in the wake of the ongoing Gaza war and earlier this month Bensouda's successor, Karim Khan, announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three Hamas leaders.

Appointed as Mossad chief by Netanyahu in 2016 after serving as his national security advisor, Cohen personally led the spy agency's near-decade-long campaign to undermine the ICC, according to sources. His activities were authorized at the highest levels, justified by the perceived threat of prosecutions against Israeli military personnel. Sources familiar with the operation allege that Cohen attempted to "compromise the prosecutor or enlist her as someone who would cooperate with Israel's demands." One source described Cohen as acting as Netanyahu's "unofficial messenger."

Yossi Cohen, then Netanyahu's Mossad director, threatened ICC chief prosecutor, Fatou Benaouda, as part of a (failed) Israeli effort to pressure her to abandon a war crimes investigation regarding the occupied Palestinian territories. (I too heard this.) https://t.co/0Ato74BIsn

— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) May 28, 2024

Bensouda reportedly briefed senior ICC officials about Cohen's persistent and increasingly threatening behavior, including an alleged statement urging her to "help us and let us take care of you. You don't want to be getting into things that could compromise your security or that of your family."

The Mossad also obtained transcripts of secret recordings of Bensouda's husband, which Israeli officials attempted to use to discredit the prosecutor, according to two sources who spoke with The Guardian. While a spokesperson for Netanyahu's office dismissed the allegations as "false and unfounded," legal experts suggest Cohen's actions could constitute offenses against the administration of justice under the ICC's founding Rome Statute.

"Four sources confirmed that Bensouda had briefed a small group of senior ICC officials about Cohen's attempts to sway her, amid concerns about the increasingly persistent and threatening nature of his behaviour," the paper said. The revelations come as Khan warned he would prosecute "attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence" ICC officials. A court spokesperson confirmed Khan's office had faced "several forms of threats and communications that could be viewed as attempts to unduly influence its activities."

The Guardian said a spokesperson from Netanyahu's office issued the following statement: "The questions forwarded to us are replete with many false and unfounded allegations meant to hurt the state of Israel." Cohen did not respond to a request for comment. Bensouda declined to comment.

The post Did Netanyahu instruct then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to threaten ICC prosecutor with 'compromising' information? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The government's Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments has approved a candidate to succeed current Mossad Director Yossi Cohen in June of next year.

Cohen began serving as head of the Mossad in January 2016.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The appointee's name is still under wraps and he is known only as "D." He is a veteran of the elite Sayeret Matkal Unit in the IDF and considered a close associate of Cohen's.

The advisory committee issued a statement on the new appointment for the top position at the Mossad: "After examining the information presented to it, the committee found no ethical flaws with the candidate D., or any ethical flaws in the considerations on which the decision to appoint him were based."

After D.'s appointment was announced last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was a "highly experienced Mossad man of many achievements."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Big shoes to fill: Advisory committee approves next Mossad director appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu had asked Cohen to extend his term at the helm of the intelligence agency "due to the security challenges facing the state of Israel."

Cohen agreed to the request.

The announcement comes amid a series of mysterious incidents in Iran, involving key sites. The most recent incident took place last week, during which the Natanz nuclear facility sustained significant damage. On Thursday, an article by Iran's state news agency IRNA addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly. The Islamic republic admitted that the fire at the enrichment center was major.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post PM extends Mossad head's tenure by 6 months due to 'security challenges' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

According to Lieberman, Netanyahu ordered Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and other senior figures within Israel's security establishment to go to Qatar. The information was under wraps until Lieberman revealed on live television on Saturday night.

"Two weeks ago the head of Mossad and the head of Israel Defense Forces' Southern Command paid a visit to Qatar on the express instructions of Netanyahu, to beg the Qataris to keep giving money to Hamas after Qataris said they would stop sending money on March 30," Lieberman told Channel 13 News.

Netanyahu reacted on Sunday by telling an Israeli radio station that "Lieberman is willing to hurt Israeli security" for election purposes.

Lieberman's claim comes amid reports that Qatar is expected to increase its financing of Hamas by 15 million dollars.
Along with Iran, the Gulf monarchy of Qatar is generally regarded as the chief backer of Hamas, the Gaza Strip-based Islamist group that fought three wars against Israel since wrenching control of the coastal enclave from Fatah in 2007.

A hardline right-wing secularist, Lieberman emerged a kingmaker during Israel's two last general elections that saw Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party deadlocked with Benny Gantz's Blue and White faction.

Lieberman ultimately declined to join a government with the ultra-Orthodox parties, leading the Jewish state to a third consecutive general election within a year.

This article was originally published by i24NEWS.

The post Why did the former defense minister reveal sensitive information on live television? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Officially, the Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu would be meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, but according to speculations, he could also meet with other African leaders.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

"This is my fifth trip to Africa in the last three and a half years," Netanyahu told reporters as he boarded his plane. "Israel is returning to Africa, big time. Africa already returned to Israel. These are relations that are very important, in the diplomatic, economic and security areas, and many other realms."

He said that he hoped to strengthen ties with Uganda, "and I hope that at the end of today [Monday], we will have very good news for Israel."

The military censor prohibited the publication of more details about the scheduled meetings, lest they are canceled at the last minute.

Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen joined the premier's delegation, Channel 13 reported.

It should be noted that in recent years Netanyahu has worked to improve relations with African countries. He officially visited the continent three times in the past four years and maintains close ties with Kenya and Ethiopia.

Netanyahu last visited Uganda in 2016 to kick off a tour of four African countries.

The post PM arrives in Uganda, hopes to bring back 'very good news' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.