BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday named Nadav Argaman as the new head of the Shin Bet intelligence service, one of the most senior appointments in Israel’s security establishment.

The Shin Bet is responsible for intelligence work within Israel and Palestinian areas and is often at the forefront of anti-terror operations and efforts. Netanyahu announced yesterday that the Shin Bet’s current deputy head Nadav Argaman will replace incumbent Yoram Cohen when his term ends in May. Netanyahu praised Argaman’s “proven track record of commanding and operative experience at the Shin Bet” and said “I am certain that under his command the Shin Bet will continue to grow stronger.”

55-year-old and father of three Argaman, is originally from a kibbutz in the Jordan Valley but now resides in the central town of Rosh Ha’ayin. He was drafted to an elite IDF unit in 1978, before joining the Shin Bet in 1983. During his time in the organisation, Argaman has served as head of Shin Bet operations between 2003 and 2007, before then spending four years as the Shin Bet representative in the United States. In particular, he is credited with leading the Shin Bet’s operations against Palestinian terror during the Second Intifada. Prior to becoming the organisation’s deputy head, he was seconded to Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission.

President Reuven Rivlin called to congratulate Argaman, describing him as the “right man at the right time” and expressed every confidence that Argaman “will enable Israeli citizens to live as normally as possible, even during these difficult days ahead.” Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said that, “Nadav is the right man to take the baton from Yoram Cohen and lead… the entire organisation with determination and responsibility in this complex reality.” Argaman was also praised by opposition leader Isaac Herzog, who commented “Nadav Argaman is a worthy man with considerable experience in maintaining the security of Israel’s citizens.”