From the hacking of the Iranian nuclear archives by Mossad officials to the recent normalization agreements in the Gulf • Yossi Cohen is ending a particularly daring five years
"These were really moments like a James Bond movie," Mossad chief Yossi Cohen described a year ago of his men breaking into the Iranian nuclear archives' secret safes.
Yossi Cohen: "We will make sure that Iran never has nuclear weapons" // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon
Of the hundreds of imaginary operations conceived and led by Cohen, the theft of the ayatollahs' nuclear programs is the only operation for which Israel has officially taken responsibility.
This operation, which led to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran and the imposition of crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic, was entirely Cohen's.
During his five years as head of the Institute for Intelligence and Special Functions, there were many more actions.
The exotic souvenirs that adorn his office - a beautiful sword, a magnificent box containing some of the finest cigars in the world, and certificates of appreciation from a parallel intelligence organization - tell the hair-raising stories in which he played a crucial role.
The political processes he led, mysterious meetings in capitals not recognized in Israel and operational actions whose contribution to Israel's security cannot be estimated and will remain for decades under a cloak of secrecy - all were his lot.
Cohen not only restored the institution to its great days, but set a standard of boldness and efficiency that would be difficult for its successor to overtake or even preserve.
Because if Israel is indeed behind the series of assassinations of Iranian scientists and the explosions at the heart of the nuclear facilities, then it means that Cohen has developed intelligence and operational capabilities that were unparalleled.
Although they did not eliminate the nuclear program or the development of the missiles, they certainly delayed them for a long time.
Equally important, these actions have given the institution and Cohen itself an international reputation, which has made a crucial contribution to the policy breakthroughs of recent months.
Long before there was official peace with the Emirates and Bahrain, Cohen and other Arab kingdoms visited them on a regular basis.
In fact, it is hard to believe that an official Israeli representative has developed such an extensive and effective network of contacts with countries that do not recognize us.
These connections taught our neighbor that there was someone to trust in Jerusalem.
His special abilities, like the addictive charisma, will be taken by the head of the Mossad, who is embarking on the next stage in his life trajectory: politics.
He possessed the qualities necessary for the post of Prime Minister and also learned much from those who have held the post for the past decade.
Cohen brings with him, as mentioned, a network of international relations, whose importance is sharpening in these plague days.
Equally important, pain for a child with a disability, Cohen has an awareness of social values, and this is an important starting point towards public life.
Moving from the world of shadows into the spotlight of Israeli politics, he will learn a lot and will also make mistakes.
But when your synonymous name is James Bond, chances are the movie will end with a happy ending.
