Columnist Ben Caspit Accused of Distorting Military Record to Discredit Intelligence Officer

A recent article by Israeli journalist Ben Caspit has drawn criticism for allegedly misrepresenting the military career of Colonel (res.) Ronen Cohen, a former intelligence officer. The critique, published in Haaretz, argues that Caspit's column, which appeared in Maariv and Walla, aimed to discredit Cohen by portraying him as a failed officer whose career ended after the Second Lebanon War. This narrative, the article contends, was used to undermine Cohen's current criticisms of the Israeli security establishment and its leadership.

However, the Haaretz piece presents evidence from public records and official reports to counter Caspit's claims. It details Cohen's career trajectory, showing he held senior intelligence positions, including Deputy Head of the Research Division and head of the terror desk in Military Intelligence, and continued to serve in significant roles after the 2006 war. The article specifically refutes Caspit's assertions regarding Cohen's alleged failure to provide warnings before the 2000 Har Dov abduction and the 2006 abduction of soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. Official inquiry committees, the article states, concluded that the 2000 incident was an operational, not intelligence, failure, and that intelligence warnings about Hezbollah's intentions were indeed issued prior to the 2006 abduction, though not about the specific timing of the event.

The Haaretz article also challenges Caspit's portrayal of Cohen as hesitant to act against civilian infrastructure in Lebanon during the Second Lebanon War. It suggests Caspit misinterpreted an anecdote, attributing a cautious stance to Cohen when the anecdote, as recounted by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot himself, actually highlights the IDF's ethical considerations in avoiding civilian casualties. Furthermore, the article points out that Caspit questioned Cohen's claims about Eisenkot's stance on a Palestinian state, while Caspit's own interview with Eisenkot from 2022 reportedly shows Eisenkot discussing concepts like "separation" and "autonomy" that align with the idea of a Palestinian entity.

Ultimately, the Haaretz article argues that Caspit's attempt to delegitimize Ronen Cohen by fabricating a narrative of professional failure is contradicted by public documentation. It suggests that Cohen, who identified potential threats accurately, has been sidelined, while figures like Gadi Eisenkot, who allegedly adhered to flawed security concepts, have risen to prominence. Ben Caspit, in response, stated that his reporting was based on verified information.