Kuwaiti report: Shin Bet ordered to investigate Iran leak
'Al-Jarida' alleges Dagan, Diskin are part of political campaign against PM, Barak that recruited journalists, opposition politicians.
By JPOST.COM STAFFPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Knesset 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yoram Cohen to investigate leaks about government discussions on the possibility of a military strike on Iran, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported Thursday.The newspaper, which has been the recipient of Israeli government leaks in the past, alleged that former security officials had enlisted journalists and opposition politicians to launch a political campaign against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on the Iranian issue.RELATED:Analysis: What is the ‘real’ Israeli stance on Iran? 'Public discussion of Iran strike is 'reckless, damaging'' IAF completes major drill in Italy amid Iran attack rumors The leaked reports about discussion in the government, the report added, are all false.Four Israeli cabinet ministers went on the offensive Wednesday accusing the media of unprecedented recklessness in discussing publicly the prospects of a strike on Iran. "There has never been a breakdown of responsibility and a campaign of recklessness like there is today, Minister-without-portfolio Benny Begin said to Army Radio.
Public officials, he said seemingly attacking Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan's numerous public statements in recent months on the Iranian issue, are sworn "to guard state secrets forever, also after they leave their positions."Last week, Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot ran a front-page column entitled, "Atomic Pressure," which alleged that Netanyahu and Barak are in the midst of a campaign to convince cabinet ministers of the necessity of striking Iran's nuclear program.Daganand former Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin, the Al-Jarida report alleged, were responsible for the media and political campaign, for which it said opposition leader Tzipi Livni was recruited. Livni's role, it said was to accuse Barak and Netanyahu of "adventurism and gambling with national interests."In her speech in the opening plenum of the the Knesset earlier this week, Livni directly addressed Netanyahu, telling him to "listen to your security chiefs" about Iran.The Prime Minister's Office denied the Al-Jarida report, according to Israel Radio.
Related TagsYuval DiskinMeir Dagan
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