The Brendan O'Neill Show Inside Mossad, with ex-spy chief Yossi Cohen
18 snips
Oct 2, 2025 
Yossi Cohen, the former chief of Mossad and author of The Sword of Freedom, dives into the complexities of Israeli security. He reveals the challenges of writing his memoir while keeping operational secrets intact. Cohen contrasts the agency’s feared reputation with its actual high-risk intelligence work. He discusses lessons learned from events like October 7th, explores his proposals for humanitarian corridors in Gaza, and shares insights on unity and leadership needed for Israel's future, all with a focus on strengthening global communication.
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Writing Under Security Constraints
- Yossi Cohen describes the censorship and multi-layer approval process required to publish a Mossad memoir.
- He says he hid many true details while trying to shed light on operations and operative experiences.
Creativity Is Core To Espionage
- Mossad operates solely behind enemy lines, not inside Israel, and requires imagination for complex operations.
- Cohen argues that creativity and risk-taking are essential because Israel faces existential threats.
Disengagement Weakened Gaza Intelligence
- Cohen recounts how Israel's 2005 Gaza disengagement left it physically separated but still linked by crossings with Gaza.
- He says the hybrid disengagement weakened Israeli intelligence and operational reach into Gaza.
