Former Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen Details Intelligence Successes and Criticizes UK PM's Stance on Israel

Yossi Cohen, former head of Israel's Mossad, gave an extensive interview to the British podcast "The General and the Journalist" from The Times, discussing Israel's intelligence cooperation with the UK and addressing recent political criticisms from London. Cohen emphasized the close partnership with British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, highlighting their joint efforts in thwarting numerous terror attacks in the UK. He quoted a former MI5 chief praising him for preventing significant terrorist activity on British soil.

Cohen sharply criticized UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's critical remarks about Israel's conduct in the Gaza conflict, calling such criticism "very bad politics" and urging Britain to fully support Israel as it has supported the UK against terrorism. He also pointed to the deteriorating security situation in British cities like London and Manchester, especially for Jewish communities.

Revealing operational insights, Cohen explained that the strategy behind the sabotage of Hezbollah's communication devices was developed over 25 years, involving a blend of human intelligence and technology. He defended Mossad's moral framework, stating that all targets carrying these devices were terrorists and denying intentional harm to civilians.

Reflecting on the October 7 Hamas attack, Cohen admitted that Israeli intelligence over-relied on cyber capabilities and lacked sufficient human intelligence, which allowed the attack to succeed without prior warning. He stressed the irreplaceable value of human intelligence despite global trends favoring cyber methods.

Cohen also recounted psychological operations against Iranian nuclear scientists, including sending flowers to their homes as warnings. He confirmed that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a key intelligence target but did not confirm reports of attempts to recruit him. On regime change in Iran, Cohen stated it depends solely on the Iranian people.

Regarding his political future, Cohen said he will not run in the upcoming October elections, citing the difficulty of achieving meaningful change, but left open the possibility of reconsidering in the future.