Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 24, 2008 Sivan 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 07:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 14:17 22/06/2008 Olmert extends Mossad chief's term citing 'exceptional success' By News Agencies Tags: Olmert, Israel, Iran, Mossad Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday extended the tenure of the Mossad intelligence chief for a second time, testament to the hawkish spymaster's role in crafting policy on Iran and other regional foes. A statement from Olmert's office Sunday cited Meir Dagan's exceptional success. It said he'll remain in his job until the end of 2009. The statement said the covert organization's list of achievements under his six years of leadership is very impressive. According to the statement, more, of course, cannot be said. Advertisement Dagan, an army ex-general, took over the Mossad in 2002 with what security sources described as a mandate to step up Israel's monitoring of Iran's nuclear program, Syria's military moves and the countries' ties to Islamist factions. "Meir Dagan is doing his job with exceptional success and the list of Mossad's achievements over the last six years is most impressive," Olmert told his cabinet at its weekly meeting. Israeli pundits have credited Mossad with locating a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor which Olmert ordered bombed last September. Prior to the sortie, Dagan came out against holding peace talks with Damascus, but indirect negotiations have since begun. Syria denied ever having a secret nuclear facility. Israel, which is assumed to have the region's only atomic arsenal, says Iran could enrich enough uranium for a bomb by 2010, though Tehran describes it nuclear plans as peaceful. Dagan has been conferring regularly with Western counterparts while Mossad prepares for possible preemptive military action against Iran, security sources said. "There is no doubt that Mossad's activities are gaining momentum," Olmert said, without elaborating. Israel's military top brass and civilian defense chiefs generally serve for four years, with a traditional one-year extension. Dagan's tenure was last extended by a year in 2007. He is now due to step down in 2009. Related articles: Israel spy chief said to host U.K. counterpart for talks on Iran Who leaked the details of a CIA-Mossad plot against Iran? Report: Livni hunted Palestinian terrorists for Mossad in Europe Bookmark to del.icio.us   Justice for Jews London summit focuses on plight of Jewish refugees from Arab states. No place like home Poll: 77% of Israeli Arabs would rather live in Israel than in any other country.   1.   Meir Dagan receives accolade 14:42  |  Mark Lincoln 22/06/08   2.   Tiresome pedant Mark Lincoln 20:56  |  Stephen in New York 22/06/08   3.   HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BALDHEADED SMERK ON MERT;TAKE 07:25  |  glenna 24/06/08

Read & React Shmuel Rosner: Why do U.S. non-Jews back Israel? Responses: 283 IDF: Israel may declare two soldiers captured by Hezbollah 'killed in action' Responses: 95 Amir Oren: Israel may conclude that it's time to hit Iran by autumn Responses: 149 Sarkozy: There won't be Middle East peace without Syria talks Responses: 62 Haaretz.com TV: East J'lem Arabs pay taxes, lack running water Responses: 41 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Israel should've continued blockade of Gaza The meaning of anti-Americanism in the Arab world (WTR) Why do non-Jewish Americans support Israel? Poll: exchange deal with Hezbollah, good or bad? Will we see a record number of Jewish lawmakers? (2) More Headlines 07:15 IDF: Israel may declare two soldiers captured by Hezbollah killed in action 07:29 High Court rejects Shalit family bid to keep Gaza crossings shut 07:25 IDF forces kill two Palestinian militants in the West Bank 07:30 Israel keeps tabs on French nuclear deals with Arab world 04:16 Jewish Agency launches plan to attract Western hi-tech engineers 05:39 Labor Party to support disbanding the Knesset 04:15 Families of abducted soldiers tell Olmert, Barak: We've waited enough 06:39 Beijing 2008 / Israel sending 38 athletes to Olympics 05:20 Israelis never excelled as mercenaries 02:44 U.S. weighs opening interest section in Tehran 01:13 McCain disavows aide comment that terror attack would help GOP Previous Editions Select Day 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun

Special Offers Advertisement Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury In the heart of Tel-Aviv The Meier on Rothschild tower Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Free Hebrew Private Lesson www.iStudyHebrew.com Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved