World Jewish News

Meir Ben Shabbat appointed Israel's national security adviser

The Israeli government approved the appointment of Meir Ben-Shabbat as the new national security adviser, a position vacant since 2015.

Ben-Shabbat, a former senior official in the Shin Bet security service, assumed the position in August, pending his approval.

‘’Meir has been acting as a deputy advisor for the past three months and I have decided to appoint him permanently. I think there is no one worthier then him for this position. I am sure that my colleagues in the cabinet and the government have also been impressed by the qualities he brings to this job, his sharpness of mind, his rich experience, the clarity of which he presents things,’’ Israeli Prime Miniser Benjamin Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.

‘’He does not round things up, he does not cover up, he says his opinion in the clearest possible way, and I think this will be an opportunity for Meir who has contributed greatly to Israel's security, to make another significant contribution to its national security,’’ he added.

Yossi Cohen, who currently leads the Mossad intelligence agency, served as national security adviser from 2013 to 2015. When he left, the position was left empty.

Yaakov Nagel served as acting national security adviser from 2015 until March of this year, leaving the position for personal reasons. He was replaced on an interim basis by Eitan Ben-David.

Ben-Shabbat had served in the Shin Bet since January 1989. His focus was Hamas and the Gaza Strip, directing much of the service’s activities against the terrorist group over the past 20 years. His position as head of the service’s southern district was comparable to that of a military general.

Ben-Shabbat personally led the Shin Bet’s efforts in Gaza during the 2008-2009 Operation Cast Lead campaign, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

He also led the security service’s Cyber Directorate and its National Directorate for Thwarting Terror and Espionage.

EJP