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Israel's Netanyahu names security aide as new Mossad spy agency chief

A former fighter pilot, Cohen, 54, will replace Tamir Pardo whose mandate expires in January

Afp December 08, 2015

A file picture taken at the Israeli foreign ministry on October 15, 2015, shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) sitting next to Yossi Cohen, who is currently the head of Israel's National Security Council, and who was named as the 12th head of the Mossad intelligence agency by Netanyahu on December 7, 2015. Cohen will take over from outgoing Mossad head Tamir Pardo, who will be leaving his post after five years next January. PHOTO: AFP

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday named national security adviser Yossi Cohen to head the Mossad spy agency.

A former fighter pilot, Cohen, 54, will replace Tamir Pardo whose mandate expires in January.

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Cohen is a Mossad veteran who served as deputy director of the agency between 2011 and 2013 when he took up the post of national security adviser.

According to Israeli media, Cohen has served with Mossad for three decades and headed the department in charge of agents posted abroad.

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In remarks broadcast by television announcing Cohen's appointment, Netanyahu stressed that Mossad's main task was to protect Israel "against terrorist threats, the Iranian threat and other threats".

A father of four, Cohen hails from Jerusalem.