Barak: Dagan jeopardized Israeli deterrence against Iran

Defense minister says discretion necessary in Israeli action against Iranian nuclear threat; former Mossad chief slams Dagan, Ashkenazi.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Barak speech serious 311 (photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool )
Barak speech serious 311
(photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool )
Defense Minister Ehud Barak criticized former Mossad chief Meir Dagan on Monday, saying his recommendation against attacking Iran was a serious offense, and could likely jeopardize Israel's deterrence capabilities, Army Radio reported.
According to Barak, several options for action against Iran remain open, and Israel's discretion on the matter is key in maintaining optimum deterrence.
RELATED:Ometz calls on A-G to probe Dagan on espionage charges Hershkowitz suggests legal action against Dagan
The defense minister did tell Israel Radio, however, that Israel has made no decision to strike Iran or any of its nuclear reactors.
Also on Monday, former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit also spoke out against Dagan and former IDF chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi's statements.
"I believe and always have believed that sensitive information must not be used without permission from those who appointed us to our position because it is their information [to disclose]," Shavit said at the Annual Conference of the Maritime Organization.
While Barak criticized Dagan's behavior, other parties have demanded that legal action be taken against the former Mossad head, saying his comment that an Israeli attack on Iran won't stop its nuclear march classified as a serious national security breach.
In Sunday's cabinet meeting Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herschkowitz demanded that Dagan stand trial.   
The government watchdog Ometz went a step further Sunday, sending a letter to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein with a request that he launch an investigation to determine whether Dagan’s statements constituted a violation of the Penal Law.
According to Ometz, Dagan is suspected of having violated article 113 – aggravated espionage, article 117 – disclosure in breach of duty, article 118 – disclosure in breach of contract, article 119 – disclosure in breach of trust and article 496 – disclosure of a professional secret.
Ron Friedman contributed to this report.