'I'm Frightened by Our Leadership' - Ex-Mossad Chief During Rally in Israel

Meir Dagan, the former head of the Mossad and a vocal critic of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was a central figure during a mass rally that took place in Tel Aviv on Saturday night; Dagan delivered speech, calling Israelis to vote for new leadership in the upcoming national elections on March 17 and said he was frightened by the current political leadership and the country’s loss of direction.

Around 50,000 people took to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday evening, protesting against current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The rally came less than two weeks before national elections in Israel. The central message of the protesters was clear – “Netanyahu Must Go” and “Israel Wants Change”.

Dagan told the crowd that Israel is facing its worst political crisis under the current Prime Minister.

“Israel is a nation surrounded by enemies, but our enemies are not the ones that scare me,” Dagan told the crowd in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. “I am frightened by our leadership. I am afraid because of the lack of vision and a loss of direction. I am frightened by the hesitation and the stagnation. And I am frightened, above all else, from a crisis in leadership. It is the worst crisis that Israel has seen to this day.”

The rally was organized by the group called “One Million Hands”. The movement positions itself as a grassroots campaign seeking a change in Israel’s politics. Supporters of “One Million Hands” say that they want a leader who will focus on issues, such as education, employment, the cost of living, healthcare, housing and most importantly a two-state solution for Israel.

Israelis will go to the polls on March 17. The right-wing Prime Minister will attempt to seek his fourth term in the office.

According to a recent poll, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and left-wing party Zionist Union led by Isaac Herzog were head-to-head.