THIS CLOSE

Netanyahu Twice Told Mossad Chiefs to Prepare Attack on Iran

But Mossad leaders questioned the legality of the orders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked intelligence agency Mossad and the military to “prepare for an attack on Iran” in 2010 and 2011, but was stopped after Mossad leaders questioned the legality of his orders, Haaretz reports. In 2011, Netanyahu asked Tamir Pardo, Mossad chief from 2011 to 2016, and Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz to launch an attack against Iran within 15 days of his order, according to investigative television show Uvda. Pardo said he “absolutely” felt that the attack on Iran would be “tantamount” to a war declaration, and said he understood that Netanyahu was “not playing games” with the order. Pardo and Gantz resisted the order, and raised questions about its legality, he added. The prime minister also gave the order to their predecessors, Meir Dagan and Gabi Ashkenaz. They resisted the request as well. Dagan reportedly told Netanyahu that he “could be making an illegal decision to go to war. Only the cabinet has that power.” In both instances, Netanyahu backed off the decision after receiving pushback.