Well done Yoel Esteron, especially for gently pointing out Dagan's political pedigree to those who howl Lefty at the 1st hint of criticism of the Prime Minister. It's very astute to note also that Bibi unleashes his hounds when he scents negative vibes. I wonder how many of them are Talkbackers. It's become a disease of the national brain to shrivel up at such vibes, like 'the occupation' - what occupation? - 'the Palestinians' - those children of Amalek- 'the Muslim President of the USA' - what 1967 lines - 'peace talks' - what's peace?

Israel faces a Goliath in the form of Pan-Aribism  ready to slay Israel/David. David and Goliath  was a story with intent! It was meant to illustrate Israel's ultimate destiny. Those who try to harm Israel are forewarned and know how all this will end. But, as the story shows they come and spoil for the fight. They are already doomed.

... about the fate of his nation. ... very much unlike the current petty hacks who care only about holding power. When will Israel wake up and wash Netanyahu, Barak, Lieberman and the rest of these small-time pathetic hacks down the sewer where they belong ??

Dagan shoulders his civic responsibility seriously, & his warning makes sense. The Israeli gov't exists to enable, serve, & protect its citizens: not to bring them to a Second Masada.

Dagan's disgusting conduct helped Israel's enemies. There is no doubt Iran's Mad Mullahs breathed a sigh of relief on reading of Dagan's plea to allow them to build nuclear bombs, to use on Israel, in peace. Such public commentary should not be allowed. It goes well beyond the bonds of free speech. It endangers Israel. If Dagan sincerely believes what he says, he should keep his thoughts to himself.

esteron joins the long list of israeli weaklings who did not do any combat service and who have less than ful appreciation of military geography. Olmert due to some injury, haber, livni who baby sat apartments in paris, beilin and ben ami, peres and lately sarid who in a shameful article in haaretz cleansed olmert essentially of his obvious crooked crimes. these weaklings and cowards and that is the only fitting term that applies to all of them have lots in common with esteron, namely being filled with fear and yellow streaks. Contrary to esteron's view of dagan's remarks, bibi and barak are not viewed as bad hands. Dagan is simply warning not to attack iran given that israel has no fullproof anti missile defence to hezbollah and iranian rockets at this time adn that is may not have the staminal for a protracted war with 75 million iranians, 25 mllion syrians aided by hezbollah and hamas and possibly egypot. Short of iran lobbying nuclear bombs at israel, israel shouldn't launch an attack. Another view is that as soon as iran gets 2 nuclear bombs, it will throw one at israel as it doesn't have any problem in losing 1 million of its own in retaliation much as assad guns down his own people. Barak is saying leave the option on the table as a deterrent which is reasonable.And bibi is far from and adventurer. He is very cautious as is barak. The 73 war was painful but necessary as otherwise israel would have to make greater concessions. As a jew and given our history, it is painful to see these peaceniks walking the people into the ovens. And if iran attacks israel,t hen israel will set the whole bloody area on fire, all of it.

disqusting mr Meir Dagan... if i am the prime minister i would put him in the same cell whee vanunu spend hes time mossad ex schief lol shame on u

If he thinks that peace is possible with the muslims, don't pay attention to a word he says. Something is wrong with this guy. Believe what the muslims say, "kill the jews". They mean it. Dagan has to know this. He must have thought out what schmutz he would create by his words. Better check his vitals. Something is wrong with this guy!

IT IS INCONCEVABLE THAT A MAN WITH A STATURE LIKE DAGAN COMMITS SUCH A BLUNDER !! I HOPE IT IS A DISINFORMATION !!

Even if peace with the deeply divided Palestinians could miraculously be achieved in spite of its internal extremists, it would not resolve the prime vital security risk pose by Iran & other rogue external groups like Hezbollah & Al Qaeda. It would also not change the determination of these fanatic Islamists to sabotage the peace by every means in their power through horrible acts of violence as they demonstrate every day in Irak, Pakistan, Bengladesh, Somali, Soudan ,,,, Dagan is espousing the United States position that peace with the Palestinians will isolate Iran & reduce its influence over the Arab world. We already knew & it was confirmed by the wikileaks that Arab leaders hate & fear Iran & its hegemonic ambitions. So there is nothing to gain there from a stillborn peace. What can't be easily achieved is a change in the minds of the Arab masses who are deeply endoctrinated & prone to listen to the propaganda coming from a nuclear Tehran which gives them the hope & greatest expectations if they remain inflexible in their determination to wait for Isreal's demise. It is that hope that must be "wiped off" their minds before some progress toward peace can be expected, And that sets an other priority which is ahead of peace with the Palestinians. And for those who are betting on the "Arab Spring" to bring about a shift in the right direction, they might want to consider how Egypt recently decided that isolating Iran was not anymore in its foreign policy. Peace with Palestinians at this stage of political & security situations would carry only one advantage & only for the USA : an improved image in the Arab world. But at the higlhy increased security risk for Israel since on the medium term the US has no effective leverage (which it has on Israel) to deter Isreal's enemies.

The man is irresponsible and risking national security for political gain. It was a gift to Ahmadinejad's propoganda machine. We have no idea what tit bits Iranian military intelligence may have gained from it There was nothing to be gained by telling the public all about it. Military operations are not carried out based on are not based on public debates and Bibi & Barak don't have to ask permission from the public or Dagan if they want to attack Iran. As for condemning Bibi & Barak, the only possible reason for that is he wants to lay the groundwork for a political career in Kadima. The man is no hero and he should keep his mouth shut before he says something that dmages security just so he can build a political career.

... he is just legitimately alarmed at the direction the right-wing zealots and their corrupt, small-time politician government are taking Israel... to total diplomatic and perhaps military isolation. Of course, according to the right-wing-nuts this is fine... who needs the rest of the "anti-Semitic world" anyway? In fact Israel doesn't even need the US. In short, a perfect glide-path to the Masada scenario. Well that - heaven forbid - does not look like a particulary positive goal to Dagan and many other concerned Israeli citizens. But since they cannot counter the facts of the situation or the message ... what, predictably, is the response of the right-wing? Attack the messenger(s) of course! I'm guessing that Meir Dagan has been through far more perilous situations however... and that history will judge him very favorably on this episode as well as his long previous career.

are you normal?

The government position is based on the assessments of many professionals. Dagan's opinion was known before so his public statements can only be interpreted as an attempt to influence the public debate while the identity of the security officials who disagree can not be publicized. This is an undemocratic tactic that deserves condemnation.

In the meantime, this man has served the longest as head of Mossad with only the country's best interests. He's a great man!

I'd like to say Thank you, Yoel Esteron - for telling the truth... a musr read column!

It appears so in the case of Dagan.

#19 John. Dagan does not speak the truth. It is obvious that Israel will have to take action to prevent Iran from building nuclear bombs, which the Mad Mullahs have threatened to use on Israel many times. So how could Dagan possibly be truthful. Nobody can deny there are risks in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. However, they pale into insignificance in comparison to a nuclear armed Iran. Dagan does nothing but help Israel's worst enemies.

if dagan were truly concerned about the leadership and IF HE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT ISRAEL, he would not have resigned. so, either is not as worried as he would have the public believe or he does not care about Israel. in any event, dagan should learn when to stfu. get it?

One of Israel's key strengths, has always been its ambiguity and the enemy not knowing exactly what we're capable of - always being afraid of being surprised. In his revealing speech, Dagan dealt a deadly blow to this ambiguity, thus raising the confidence of Iran to proceed with its nuclear efforts with greater resolve, knowing Israel has no real means to stop them. And THIS is why Dagan was criticized. Amazing how a person in such esteemed position fails to see this simple point, and instead offers a shallow article which has nothing to offer besides baseless libel against Netanyahu and Barak.