Former Israeli Spy Chief Meir Dagan Dies The former head of Israel’s Mossad led operations that disrupted Iran’s nuclear weapons development By Rory Jones and Orr Hirschauge
http://www.wsj.com/articles/former-israeli-spy-chief-meir-dagan-dies-1458207769
TEL AVIV—Meir Dagan, who as chief of Israel’s intelligence agency was widely credited with disrupting Iran’s nuclear program, died Thursday, the Israeli government said. He was 71.
Mr. Dagan served as director of the agency, the Mossad, from 2002 until his retirement in 2011. During that time, Israel is believed to have carried out deadly assaults on Iran’s nuclear scientists and cyberattacks against its nuclear enrichment facilities. As a matter of policy, Israel neither confirms nor denies such operations.
In retirement, Mr. Dagan became a vocal critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately unsuccessful efforts to stop the nuclear deal between Tehran and the U.S. and five other world powers. He said Mr. Netanyahu exaggerated the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons for political gain.
In a statement, Mr. Netanyahu called the former spy director a “great fighter” who had devoted his life to Israel and the Jewish people.
“He led the organization in daring, pioneering and groundbreaking operations,” the Israeli premier said.
Mr. Dagan’s died from complications of cancer, said a spokesman for the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. He underwent a liver transplant in Belarus in 2012.
Mr. Dagan was appointed to head the Mossad by Ariel Sharon, then prime minister. When he stepped down nine years later, in 2011, he was praised by Israeli officials for restoring the daring image of the spy agency. CONTINUE AT SITE
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