Two days after Channel 10 reported Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu favored hiring an outsider to become the next director of the Mossad, Yedioth Ahronoth revealed one of his as candidates as former Israeli Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Ido Nehoshtan.
The Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency, is responsible for intelligence, covert operations and counterterrorism. Its director reports directly to the Prime Minister.
Nehoshtan, 58, had a 37-year-long military career, culminating in his service as Israeli Air Force commander from 2008 to 2012 after previously commanding the Planning Directorate.
Since retiring, Nehoshtan has served as an advisor for Israeli cyber firm EMC.
He is believed to have met recently with Netanyahu and current Mossad director Tamir Pardo. Reportedly, even if the Prime Minister does not appoint him to head the Mossad, he will give him another position, possibly the head of the National Security Council.
The idea to appoint Nehoshtan director of the Mossad has caused considerable unrest among the intelligence community, likely because of his outsider status.
"If this is true - it's rude and scandalous," one senior official close to the Mossad said. "With all due respect to Nehoshtan, his proven management capabilities, his successful tenure in the Air Force and his place in a family of fighters, he has no knowledge of at least 99% of the Mossad's activities."
The Prime Minister's Office quickly denied the reports on Sunday, asserting that Nehoshtan was not being considered as a candidate for the position.
The final decision is expected in the coming weeks. Other prospective Mossad chiefs include National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen; director-general of the Strategic Affairs Ministry, Ram Ben-Barak; and N., former head of the Mossad's Rainbow unit.