Lieutenant Colonel without a uniform, spy without the Mossad: The questionable resume of a Likud candidate
A Channel 12 investigation raises questions regarding details presented by Likud candidate Mishael Ben-Ami, including the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, a doctorate, and activities in Iran. Ben-Ami rejects the claims.
Journalist Omri Maniv published an investigation on Channel 12 this Friday concerning Mishael Ben-Ami, who is running in the Likud primaries in the unified district of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Shephelah. According to the report, Ben-Ami presented a series of impressive biographical details as part of his campaign, but a Channel 12 verification raised significant questions regarding their validity.
One of the claims checked concerned Ben-Ami's presentation as a Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves and as someone with a security background. According to the report, the IDF does not recognize Ben-Ami as an officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In a conversation with Maniv, Ben-Ami explained that it was a "representative rank" he received through his activities with volunteers, but the organization contacted by Channel 12 did not recognize his name.
When asked if he ever wore a uniform with Lieutenant Colonel insignia, he replied: "I was not in uniform."
Another issue was raised regarding the academic degree Ben-Ami holds. While he presents himself as a doctor, Maniv claimed the degree was granted by a university described in the investigation as "fictitious." It was further noted that Ben-Ami was previously called to testify to the police as part of an investigation into the sale of degrees from that same institution.
The investigation also addressed Ben-Ami's claim that in 1999 he received an offer for a reserved spot on the Likud list from Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, but chose to decline it for a security mission. According to Maniv, Likud officials were unaware of any such offer. Additionally, no record was found of the "Association for the Empowerment of Jerusalem," which Ben-Ami claims to have founded.
The highlight of the report concerned Ben-Ami's stories about his activities in Iran. He previously claimed to have spent three years in Iran on secret missions, visiting sensitive facilities and meeting with senior regime officials, including the Deputy Minister of Defense. He also spoke of a handshake with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
In an interview cited in the report, Ben-Ami is heard saying: "I was a spy for the last three years... I entered the Iranian parliament as I wanted. I was friends with the Deputy Minister of Defense." However, in his conversation with Maniv, Ben-Ami distanced himself from the term "spy," stating: "I will never say that I was a spy." When told that the Mossad has no record of him, he replied: "I did not work with the Mossad."
Ben-Ami refers to his book, "Ticking Bomb," as a description of his activities in Iran, claiming it inspired works like the series "Tehran." Maniv added that Ben-Ami has also spread conspiracy theories regarding the October 7 events, alleging that elements within the security establishment, including former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, were involved in planning the massacre.
Mishael Ben-Ami's response: "I was commander of the overseas volunteers section in Israel in the 80s with the representative rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I earned my doctorate at York University and met all requirements. My book 'Ticking Bomb' served as a source for many films. I never spread conspiracies; I write numerous articles and position papers for decision-makers."
