Former Mossad chief warns Britain: We saved your lives from terror, now support Israel

The former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency has launched a sharp attack on Britain, accusing the government of failing to reciprocate Israeli security assistance and calling for stronger British support for Israel. In an interview with the British podcast The General and the Journalist, Yossi Cohen criticised the UK’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, arguing that Britain should back Israel in the same way Israel has backed British interests.

Cohen pointed to Israel’s counterterrorism efforts as evidence of the country’s commitment to fighting extremism. He cited a former head of MI5, Britain’s domestic security service, who he said had personally acknowledged Israel’s role in “thwarting a massive amount of terrorism,” suggesting this assistance had protected British lives and interests.

“I think the British government should do exactly the same thing,” Cohen stated, implying that London should provide similar political and security support to Israel. The comments reflect broader Israeli frustrations with international criticism of Israeli military operations and policy in occupied Palestinian territories.

Cohen’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and various countries over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader Middle East security concerns. His suggestion that Britain owes Israel a debt of gratitude for counterterrorism cooperation represents a common Israeli argument in international diplomatic discussions about regional support.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.