Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said that MK Tali Gottlieb's deliberate exposure of an operational Shin Bet fighter and commander, endangering his life, was an irresponsible act that violates the law. According to Cohen, those who knowingly back security offenses harm Israel's security and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting it. Cohen spoke as the Knesset continues to debate Gottlieb's request for parliamentary immunity.
Former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen on Wednesday joined the Knesset debate over MK Tali Gottlieb's (Likud) request for parliamentary immunity, calling the exposure of an operative's details a deliberate, illegal act that endangers lives. Cohen, who now sits on the right-leaning political party 'Yesh! with Eisenkot,' stated that anyone who knowingly provides backing for security offenses harms Israel's security and the personnel who risk their lives to defend it.
The statement comes as the Knesset plenum prepares for a vote on Gottlieb's immunity, after the House Committee approved the request earlier this week. As The Zioneer reported on Monday, the State Attorney warned that granting immunity would create a dangerous precedent for the Shin Bet. The Attorney General has also warned that the move would endanger the state and soldiers. The debate has seen sharp political divisions, with Minister Ze'ev Elkin pledging to support immunity, arguing MKs have the right to expose what they believe is the truth.
The Shin Bet itself has reportedly found that Gottlieb endangered a senior service member and his family by revealing the operative's name. Cohen's intervention adds a prominent security voice to the opposition against the immunity request, coming from a former head of the agency at the center of the affair.
- StrongShin Bet: MK Tali Gottlieb Endangered Senior Security Service Member and Family
- DevelopingOpposition coordinator demands MK Gotliv answer for revealing Shin Bet agent's name
- DevelopingState Attorney warns immunity for MK Gottlieb would set 'slippery slope' for Shin Bet
- DevelopingMK Rothman taunts senior judiciary officials during Gottlieb immunity hearing
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