The former head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency has accused the country's political leaders of exaggerating the effectiveness of a possible military attack on Iran.
Yuval Diskin said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have their judgment clouded by "messianic feelings" and should not be trusted to lead policy on Iran.
Diskin, who headed Shin Bet until last year, said a strike might actually accelerate Iran's nuclear program -- which Israel and the West think is aimed at developing weapons.
Diskin's comments come as a rift deepens between Netanyahu's government and Israel's security establishment over possible military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Spokesmen for Netanyahu and Barak refused to comment.
But members of Netanyahu's coalition questioned Diskin's motives and suggested he has allied himself with Israel's opposition.
Yuval Diskin said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have their judgment clouded by "messianic feelings" and should not be trusted to lead policy on Iran.
Diskin, who headed Shin Bet until last year, said a strike might actually accelerate Iran's nuclear program -- which Israel and the West think is aimed at developing weapons.
Diskin's comments come as a rift deepens between Netanyahu's government and Israel's security establishment over possible military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Spokesmen for Netanyahu and Barak refused to comment.
But members of Netanyahu's coalition questioned Diskin's motives and suggested he has allied himself with Israel's opposition.
