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Veteran Mossad Operative Named Israeli Spy Agency's New Chief

A general view of Israel. (AFP file photo)
A general view of Israel. (AFP file photo)
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Veteran Mossad Operative Named Israeli Spy Agency's New Chief

A general view of Israel. (AFP file photo)
A general view of Israel. (AFP file photo)

A veteran Mossad operative, who Israeli media said specialized in recruiting agents to work against Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, was named on Monday as the Israeli intelligence agency's new chief.

David Barnea, 56, and currently the Mossad's deputy director, will replace Joseph (Yossi) Cohen, early next month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Cohen is stepping down after more than five years at the Mossad's helm, during which he was closely involved in Israel's outreach to Gulf states that resulted in peace deals with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain last year.

Barnea joined the Mossad in 1996, serving as a case officer. From 2013 until his appointment in 2019 to the Mossad's number two post, he commanded its Tzomet division, which Israeli media reports said recruits and runs agents.

The Haaretz newspaper said that as Tzomet's commander, Barnea was responsible for enlisting operatives against the Mossad's top priority targets, Iran and Hezbollah.

Iran has accused the Mossad of being behind the assassinations of nuclear scientists and military commanders as well as sabotage at uranium enrichment facilities that Israel alleges are part of a program aimed at producing atomic weapons.

Tehran denies it is seeking to build nuclear arms.

Barnea's name and position in the Mossad could not be reported in Israel under military censorship rules until the announcement from the prime minister's office of his new appointment.

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Spanish Prime Minister Discusses Gaza, Ukraine and Trade During Meeting with Xi in China 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
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Spanish Prime Minister Discusses Gaza, Ukraine and Trade During Meeting with Xi in China 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the need for “close, deep and balanced relations” between Spain and China during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Spanish government said.

The Spanish prime minister's second trip to China in less than two years “demonstrates the shared desire by both countries to maintain a regular dialogue at the highest level in their bilateral relations,” the government statement said.

Sánchez and Xi's talks on Monday at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House touched on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the Spanish leader insisted on working toward peace with the involvement of the United Nations. China is one of five permanent, veto-holding members of the UN Security Council.

Spain is a member of NATO, which China has accused of prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch his full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.

Sánchez, who also met with his counterpart Li Qiang, said, “We want to build bridges to jointly defend a fair trade order that permits the growth of our economies and benefits our industries and citizens,” according to the government statement.

Sánchez and the Chinese officials made statements in favor of free trade and the promotion of cultural exchanges and tourism, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, but did not announce any specifics in an ongoing dispute over electric vehicles.

“We hope that Spain will continue to provide a fair, equitable, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies to invest and do business in,” Xi said, according to CCTV.

Sanchez said, “Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets and does not support a trade war,” according to CCTV.

Trade is one of the thorniest issues between China and Spain. Spain was among the EU members that expressed support earlier this year for a 36.7% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese government responded by launching an investigation into imports of EU pork.

The tension has not stopped Spain from welcoming the plans of Chinese carmaker Chery to open a plant for electric vehicles in Barcelona.

The center-left Spanish Socialist leader also attended a business forum in Beijing for Spanish and Chinese companies before traveling to Shanghai. On Tuesday he will attend more business events and the inauguration of a Cervantes Institute, a center that promotes Spanish language and culture.

Sánchez also held talks with the head of the ceremonial legislature, Zhao Leji. Sánchez visited China in March 2023 when Spain held the rotating European Union presidency.