Investigation Questions Likud Candidate Mishel Ben Ami’s Military Rank and Spy Claims

An investigative report by Channel 12 News has raised doubts about several claims made by Likud candidate Mishel Ben Ami, including his military rank, academic credentials, and alleged espionage activities in Iran. Ben Ami presented himself as a reserve lieutenant colonel (Sgan Aluf) with a security background, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly have no record of him holding this rank. Ben Ami explained that the rank was honorary, linked to his work with volunteers, but even the associated organization denied knowing him. When asked if he ever wore the lieutenant colonel uniform, he replied, "I was not in uniform."

Another point of contention concerns Ben Ami’s doctorate degree. He claimed to hold a PhD from York University, but the investigation described the institution as "fictitious." Additionally, Ben Ami was reportedly summoned to testify in a police investigation related to the sale of degrees from that university.

Ben Ami also made striking claims about his time in Iran, stating in a past interview that he acted as a spy, had unrestricted access to the Iranian parliament, was close to the Iranian Deputy Defense Minister, and even shook hands with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However, in a recent conversation, he denied being a spy and said, "I will never say I was a spy, what happened, happened." When told that the Mossad does not recognize him, he admitted, "I did not work with the Mossad." Regarding his alleged ties to the Iranian Deputy Defense Minister, he cryptically responded, "There is a whole book about it."

In response to the report, Ben Ami stated he was a commander of the foreign volunteers unit in Israel during the 1980s with an honorary lieutenant colonel rank. He affirmed that he earned his doctorate at York University and that his book "Ticking Bomb" inspired many films in the genre. He denied spreading conspiracies and said he frequently writes articles and policy papers for decision-makers.

This investigation casts significant doubt on Ben Ami’s background as he seeks election with the Likud party, raising questions about the veracity of his military and academic claims as well as his purported espionage activities in Iran.