The former head of Israel's spy service has launched an unprecedented attack on the country's current government, describing it as "irresponsible and reckless", and has praised Arab attempts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
Meir Dagan stepped down as the head of Mossad six months ago but has gone on the offensive in a series of briefings with journalists and public appearances because he feels that Israel's security is being mismanaged by Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and Ehud Barak, the defense minister.
"I decided to speak because when I was in office, Diskin, Ashkenazi and I could block any dangerous adventure. Now I am afraid that there is no one to stop Bibi [Netanyahu] and Barak".
Dagan also said,that a strike on Iran should only be considered as the last resort and after all other means and methods have been exhausted.
Speaking at a conference at the Tel Aviv University, Dagan said: "A military attack will give the Iranians the best excuse to pursue the nuclear race. Khamenei will say 'I was attacked by a country with nuclear capabilities; my nuclear program was peaceful, but I must protect my country. "
A spokesman for the prime minister said that he would not discuss Dagan's comments. However members of the cabinet told the Israeli media: "Dagan was out of line on the Iranian issue. This damages deterrence, because the military option must be on the table as a credible option after sanctions.
"If you come and say, 'we can't attack Iran, it's impossible,' you project weakness to the Iranians and make it look like you don't have the courage to do it, and that they can do whatever they want.
"More seriously, it sends a message to the world that they can take their foot off the gas pedal of sanctions."
The timing for this unprecedented attack, couldn't have been chosen in a better time for the Opposition or the for Media losing their balance, Dagan's criticism of Netanyahu comes when the prime minister is enjoying popular support following his trip to Washington and his speech to Congress.
Opinion polls suggest that Netanyahu has a nine-point lead over his nearest challenger and his Likud party is the most popular in the country.
As Aluf Benn that has lately become more and more critical of the Prime Minister and his opinion is well respected by the American media writes in Friday's Haaretz:
"Meir Dagan's public warnings that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading Israel into disaster places the former Mossad chief in a new role - head of the opposition. After two years of the prime minister's complete control over the political message coming out of Jerusalem, there is finally someone who is standing up and warning the public of the risks inherent in a leadership that "is absent of vision and responsibility."
The problem is that like Tzipi Livni, their personal attacks on Netanyahu just backfire Israel's stance in the World, and make it more Harder for Israel to extend its stretched out hand for peace, or win the war with Iran and its proxies, it was the Israeli public that elected this coalition, knowing that Netanyhu will be crowned as Prime Minister, and its only in the Israeli public's power to decide on his Future and the Future of this Country when they arrive at the Ballot box once in 4 years.
