Ex-Intelligence Chiefs Criticize Mossad Review and October 7 Failures
Former Israeli intelligence officials and experts criticized the security establishment's failures on October 7 during a conference at Reichman University, calling for broader accountability and legal reforms.
Former senior intelligence officials and experts sharply criticized the security establishment's failures leading up to October 7 during the annual international counter-terrorism conference at Reichman University.
Mossad's Internal Review Challenged
Speaking at the "Conception and Intelligence Failures" panel, Haim Tomer, former head of the Mossad's Intelligence and Tevel departments, challenged the findings of the agency's internal review regarding the October 7 intelligence failures. He stated that the Mossad cannot be exempted from overall responsibility, rejecting the notion that the blame rests solely on Aman and the Shin Bet.
"I find it hard to accept the Mossad's self-assessment conclusions. You cannot release the Mossad from the overall responsibility for the failure of October 7," Tomer said, emphasizing the need for legal changes in how Israel's leadership manages national risk assessment.
Strategic Policies and Enemy Rationality
Dr. Eyal Hulata, former National Security Advisor, noted that prior Israeli policy favored maintaining a weakened Hamas in the Gaza Strip to separate it from the West Bank for various strategic reasons. Meanwhile, Prof. Asa Kasher stressed the necessity of viewing enemies as rational actors rather than dismissing them.
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Haim Tomer criticized limited accountability among intelligence branches.
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Dr. Eyal Hulata discussed historical policy frameworks regarding Hamas.
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Prof. Asa Kasher emphasized analyzing adversaries through rational frameworks.
