Ex-Mossad chief inspires 'security' bill
Meir Dagan's controversial statements on Iran, peace process prompt Likud MK to draft bill calling to restrict former defense establishment personnel's access to media
The political arena is still reeling from former Mossad Chief Meir Dagan's public statements on a myriad of sensitive issues, but some are already thinking about how to stop such "scandalous remarks," as they have been called, from happening again.
Likud MK Miri Regev has decided to take action and has drafted an amendment to the Public Service Act, meant to limit officials' ability to publicly comment on matters regarding their office after they retire.
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The amendment has been dubbed the "Dagan law."
The bill focuses on former defense establishment officers in particular, and demands any appearance by them in the media be cleared by the Defense Ministry first.
Regev anchored her brief by explaining that Dagan's statements, as well as recent comments made by former IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi regarding kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, have harmed Israel's security interest.
Regev further said that although former defense establishment officials do adhere to several employment and travel restrictions, there are none to prevent their interaction with the media.
Her brief asks that security official who retired from service be made to adhere to the same restrictions which applied to then while they were in office – for the duration of one year.
"The purpose of the bill is to prevent those formerly serving in senior positions in the defense establishment, including the Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF and police, from freely sharing the sensitive information they were privy to – especially regarding national security – with the media… without first getting the Defense Ministry's approval," she explained.
Such officials, she added, "Must adhere to the orders of the Defense Ministry and the Military Censor."
Regev added that while she does not expect people to refrain from expressing their opinions, "They should definitely think twice before voicing opinions on sensitive issues."
A former IDF Spokesperson and Chief Military Censor herself, Regev said that it is because of her former IDF service that she sees the matter as critical.
"Some things are most definitely better left unsaid," she said.
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