Former Shin Bet Chief Avi Dichter Reveals Rift After October 7 Attacks and Defends Netanyahu

Avi Dichter, Israel's Agriculture Minister, former Shin Bet chief, and member of the security cabinet, spoke in a 103FM interview about political and personal issues following the October 7 Hamas attack. He revealed that longtime colleagues from Shin Bet cut ties with him, blaming him for the massacre, and that even his wife distanced herself, highlighting the depth of the rift. Dichter noted ideological differences with some former colleagues, including founders of the "Peace Now" movement, but said he never hid his views.

Dichter also discussed the Nation-State Law, which he championed in the Knesset. He recalled that after its passage, petitions were filed to the Supreme Court, where 11 justices reviewed it; 10 found no issue, while one dissenting judge was Arab. He said the court debate strengthened his belief in the law's importance as a constitutional anchor for Israel as the Jewish nation-state.

Addressing rumors of an attempted ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the war's start, Dichter denied any knowledge of such a plot, saying all political and security officials were focused on responding to the terror attack. He expressed surprise at the reports and said he would have known if a coup was planned.

Regarding the Likud party's reserved Knesset slots, Dichter criticized the late reservation of Defense Minister Israel Katz, suggesting Netanyahu should have secured Katz's position earlier. He also dismissed attempts within Likud to create tension between himself and Netanyahu, emphasizing their 55-year acquaintance and recounting a personal conversation where he denied ever speaking against the prime minister. Dichter said efforts to drive a wedge between them have repeatedly failed.