PM announces Yoram Cohen will be next Shin Bet chief

Cohen will replace outgoing Israel Security Agency head Diskin; 30 year Shin Bet veteran "understands challenges before us," Netanyahu says.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Yoram Cohen 311 (photo credit: Channel 10)
Yoram Cohen 311
(photo credit: Channel 10)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday announced that Yoram Cohen would be the next chief of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
Netanyahu thanked outgoing Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin for his contributions to the country before announcing Cohen's appointment.
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The prime minister said that Cohen joined the Shin Bet 30 years ago and served in a number of positions before being promoted to the position of deputy Shin Bet chief.
Netanyahu called Cohen "a field man" who "understands the challenges that stand before us... and has the leadership and experience to meet those challenges."
Diskin, will be leaving the position after six years on the job.
Diskin's term as Shin Bet head was extended in 2009 following a request made by Netanyahu who stressed the importance of Diskin's work and praised him for his extensive experience in matters of national security.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at the time that Diskin "is an excellent man, experienced and professional, whose integrity has made possible the deep-seated cooperation with the IDF against threats in recent years."


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