GOVERNMENT

David Barnea

Director

Since becoming the director of Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, in June 2021, David Barnea has repeatedly emphasized the threat that Iran poses to Israel's existence. In August 2022, Barnea was reported to have told colleagues that a revival of the 2015 international nuclear deal with the Iranian regime would amount to a "strategic disaster" for Israel. "The agreement is a bad deal that gives Iran a license to manufacture a bomb," he reportedly commented, pledging that Israel would respond accordingly. In 2023, Barnea underlined the importance of Israel managing its own security despite its alliance with the US. "We must not underestimate the enemy and its capabilities," he stressed. "We should not forget that around us there are countries and organizations that continue to grow stronger to threaten our peace here. We should not exaggerate the support of our allies in times of crisis — we will build our strength and capabilities ... Our strength is in our internal unity." (Photo: Wikimedia / Creative Commons License)