Synopsis
On March 15, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu filed a police complaint against former ISA chief Nadav Argaman, accusing him of extortion using criminal tactics. The complaint escalates ongoing tensions between Netanyahu and the ISA following the October 7 Hamas attack, amid disputes over security management and decision-making.Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu accuses Argaman of blackmail.
- Claims of criminal tactics by the former ISA chief.
- ISA defends itself against allegations of misconduct.
- Ongoing tensions since October 7 Hamas attack.
- Critics claim Netanyahu's decisions are politically motivated.
Jerusalem, March 15 (NationPress) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally lodged a complaint with law enforcement against Nadav Argaman, the former head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), as reported by Israel's state broadcaster Kan TV News.
In a communication to Israeli police chief Daniel Levi on Friday, Netanyahu's attorney accused Argaman of attempting to blackmail him using tactics akin to those employed by criminal syndicates, based on statements made by Argaman during a televised interview on Thursday evening.
During the interview, Argaman indicated that should he determine the prime minister was engaging in unlawful behavior, he would disclose all pertinent information, although he had opted not to act on this to preserve the significance of the relationship between the ISA's head and the prime minister.
Argaman added that any intelligence posing a threat to Israel's national security would be disclosed in accordance with legal guidelines, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
In his complaint, Netanyahu asserted that “all red lines were crossed” when Argaman opted to employ threats and blackmail against a sitting prime minister, likening the ISA chief's actions to those of organized crime, which he described as “crossing the lines completely.”
Following the broadcast of the interview, Netanyahu issued a statement claiming that “this crime is part of a broader campaign of extortion through threats” that has been orchestrated by the current ISA chief Ronen Bar in recent days.
“The primary objective is to obstruct my decisions aimed at revitalizing the ISA after its significant failures on October 7. Let me make it clear: these mafia-style threats will not dissuade me. I will act decisively to ensure Israel's security,”
Netanyahu declared in his statement.
The ISA responded, labeling the allegations against Bar as unfounded, emphasizing that the current chief is solely dedicated to national security and efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, while also protecting democratic values.
In the wake of the complaint, Israeli police announced that Levi had directed the head of the investigation and intelligence department to scrutinize Argaman's statements.
Tensions between Netanyahu and the ISA have intensified since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel.
Conflict has arisen over the management of hostilities, negotiations for hostage release, leaks of classified information, and inquiries into the personal business associations between officials in the prime minister's office and the Qatari government.
Critics of Netanyahu argue that his choices are motivated by political survival, while his supporters contend that the ISA is meddling in his decisions and seeking to undermine his authority.
