Diskin, a 27-year veteran of the Shin Bet, also known as the General Security Service (GSS) or Shabak, was responsible for developing and promoting Israel’s policy of targeting and assassinating terrorists working for the Palestinian Authority and other groups dedicated to Israel’s destruction.
Such targeted assassinations are designed to be carried against terrorists in the midst of planning further attacks against Jewish or Israeli targets. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and long-time head of the Hamas, who was responsible for the murder of scores of Jews, was perhaps the most senior terrorist leader assassinated in this manner. Another famous terrorist killed in this manner was the Engineer, Yichye Ayash.
Diskin is credited with improving intelligence coordination with the IDF and the Israel Air Force in order to enable quick strikes against terrorist targets with a high degree of accuracy.
Diskin, 49, father of five children, is currently on a year of study, after serving as deputy head of the GSS from the start of the Oslo War in 2000 up until 2003. Prior to that, he headed the Arab Affairs Branch, and was responsible for thwarting terrorist activity in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. From 1993-1997, he was involved in establishing clandestine links with the leaders of the PA security services.
Diskin has also worked with Meir Dagan, head of the Mossad, the organization responsible for ensuring Israeli security overseas.
During his term, Diskin will be expected to deal with the issue of massive Israeli opposition to the proposed expulsion of Jews from the Gaza region. He will also bear responsibility for security coordination between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.
Diskin’s rise in the ranks of the Shin Bet has been characterized as “meteoric," with many in the media using superlatives to describe him. Former GSS Chief Yaakov Perry, however, tried to calm things down by telling the Jerusalem Post, “He has gone through all the stages of the organization's hierarchy from a young field officer to staff commander. I wouldn't say his rise was meteoric."
Diskin has a BA in Land of Israel Studies and Political Science from Bar Ilan University. He recently completed a Master’s Degree (Dean’s List) in Political Science and Public Administration at Haifa University.
The Government Press Office announced that Diskin "was responsible for security coordination over a number of years, is deeply acquainted with the heads of the Palestinian security services, and has been responsible for an uncompromising war against terrorist infrastructures throughout Judea and Samaria."
The current GSS chief, Avi Dichter, will be leaving the agency after five years at its head and 29 years of service. The heads of Israeli security services typically serve five-year terms. Diskin is expected to assume his post in May.
Such targeted assassinations are designed to be carried against terrorists in the midst of planning further attacks against Jewish or Israeli targets. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and long-time head of the Hamas, who was responsible for the murder of scores of Jews, was perhaps the most senior terrorist leader assassinated in this manner. Another famous terrorist killed in this manner was the Engineer, Yichye Ayash.
Diskin is credited with improving intelligence coordination with the IDF and the Israel Air Force in order to enable quick strikes against terrorist targets with a high degree of accuracy.
Diskin, 49, father of five children, is currently on a year of study, after serving as deputy head of the GSS from the start of the Oslo War in 2000 up until 2003. Prior to that, he headed the Arab Affairs Branch, and was responsible for thwarting terrorist activity in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. From 1993-1997, he was involved in establishing clandestine links with the leaders of the PA security services.
Diskin has also worked with Meir Dagan, head of the Mossad, the organization responsible for ensuring Israeli security overseas.
During his term, Diskin will be expected to deal with the issue of massive Israeli opposition to the proposed expulsion of Jews from the Gaza region. He will also bear responsibility for security coordination between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.
Diskin’s rise in the ranks of the Shin Bet has been characterized as “meteoric," with many in the media using superlatives to describe him. Former GSS Chief Yaakov Perry, however, tried to calm things down by telling the Jerusalem Post, “He has gone through all the stages of the organization's hierarchy from a young field officer to staff commander. I wouldn't say his rise was meteoric."
Diskin has a BA in Land of Israel Studies and Political Science from Bar Ilan University. He recently completed a Master’s Degree (Dean’s List) in Political Science and Public Administration at Haifa University.
The Government Press Office announced that Diskin "was responsible for security coordination over a number of years, is deeply acquainted with the heads of the Palestinian security services, and has been responsible for an uncompromising war against terrorist infrastructures throughout Judea and Samaria."
The current GSS chief, Avi Dichter, will be leaving the agency after five years at its head and 29 years of service. The heads of Israeli security services typically serve five-year terms. Diskin is expected to assume his post in May.