Ex-Mossad Chief: Netanyahu Government Worse Than Ku Klux Klan

The former head of Israel's Mossad criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition, describing its members as "extreme lunatics" who are even worse than the Ku Klux Klan.

Tamir Pardo, who led the intelligence agency from 2011 to 2016, specifically pointed out the national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich as representatives of "horrible racist parties" (Jewish Power and Religious Zionism, respectively) that make the Klan seem insignificant in comparison. Despite this, Pardo dismissed the idea that Netanyahu is being manipulated by extremists, stating that the prime minister himself is leading this divisive process.

To illustrate his point, Pardo cited Smotrich's endorsement of destroying an entire Palestinian village and his support for discriminatory measures in maternity wards against Palestinian mothers. Additionally, he highlighted how Ben-Gvir decorated his home with a poster glorifying a mass murderer responsible for a tragic massacre.

Pardo condemned the Israeli government's hypocrisy, pointing out that if any other country were to enact laws against Jews similar to the anti-Palestinian laws passed in the Knesset, it would be seen as anti-Semitic.

He expressed concern about the erosion of Israel's democracy, particularly regarding attempts to reform the judiciary system, warning that removing the Supreme Court's "reasonableness" standard could lead the country toward dictatorship.

The passage of a controversial law empowering Israeli towns to ban Palestinians from residing there has led to widespread protests and further division within the nation. Pardo squarely attributes this division to Netanyahu's leadership, stating that the prime minister remains unyielding and even appears pleased amid the turmoil.