Former Mossad Operative and Shin Bet Fighter Deborah Sharifian-Bachar Joins Gadi Eizenkot’s Party

Deborah Sharifian-Bachar, a former senior operative in Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet, has joined the political party "Yashar," led by Gadi Eizenkot, ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. Born in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, she immigrated to Israel at age seven under a false identity after her family fled Iran due to escalating persecution. Sharifian-Bachar served as a combatant in the Shin Bet’s "Tequila Force," a unit specializing in preventing suicide bombings, and later held operational and staff roles in Mossad, focusing on Iranian threats including nuclear facilities and terrorism against Israelis worldwide.

After nearly two decades in Israeli security services, reaching a rank equivalent to lieutenant colonel, she transitioned to civilian life and education. She established a unique high school program in Israel’s periphery teaching security, intelligence, and Persian language, which has grown from ten students in Eilat to several hundred nationwide. Sharifian-Bachar is married to pediatrician Maor, with whom she has three daughters, and the family recently relocated to Kibbutz Eilot in southern Israel.

At a campaign event, Eizenkot praised her as a model leader Israel needs, emphasizing the importance of bringing exemplary figures into politics. Sharifian-Bachar expressed both excitement and responsibility about entering politics, stating her commitment to be worthy of the trust placed in her. She recounted her childhood experiences in Iran, her military service, and her intelligence work, including involvement in operations related to Iran’s nuclear program and the recruitment of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by Mossad. She declined to disclose details about her current connections to Tehran, citing security concerns.

Sharifian-Bachar’s story highlights a rare journey from covert intelligence work to public political engagement, reflecting her desire to shape Israel’s future leadership. Her background and expertise position her as a significant new figure in Israeli politics under Eizenkot’s leadership.