Wednesday Jul 9, 2025
HE
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News Israel

Did Netanyahu instruct then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to threaten ICC prosecutor with 'compromising' information?

Sources familiar with the operation allege that several years ago, then-Mossad Director Yossi Cohen attempted to threaten the ICC chief at the time Fatou Bensouda or enlist her as someone "who would cooperate with Israel's demands", according to The Guardian. His activities were reportedly authorized at the highest levels, justified by the perceived threat of prosecutions against Israeli military personnel.

by  Erez Linn
Published on  05-28-2024 14:24
Last modified: 05-30-2024 10:11
Did Netanyahu instruct then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to threaten ICC prosecutor with 'compromising' information?AFP / Anp / Martijn Beekman

The new building of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, The Netherlands in 2015 | Photo: AFP / Anp / Martijn Beekman

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Yossi Cohen, the former director of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service, allegedly issued threats to a chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a series of clandestine meetings several years ago in order to torpedo its investigation against Israel.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Cohen's covert contacts aimed to pressure Fatou Bensouda into abandoning a war crimes investigation regarding its conduct in the Palestinian territories by Israel. Cohen's undisclosed approaches to Bensouda occurred in the years preceding her 2021 decision to launch a formal probe into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Palestinians. This investigation shifted into high gear in the wake of the ongoing Gaza war and earlier this month Bensouda's successor, Karim Khan, announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three Hamas leaders.

Appointed as Mossad chief by Netanyahu in 2016 after serving as his national security advisor, Cohen personally led the spy agency's near-decade-long campaign to undermine the ICC, according to sources. His activities were authorized at the highest levels, justified by the perceived threat of prosecutions against Israeli military personnel. Sources familiar with the operation allege that Cohen attempted to "compromise the prosecutor or enlist her as someone who would cooperate with Israel's demands." One source described Cohen as acting as Netanyahu's "unofficial messenger."

💥Yossi Cohen, then Netanyahu's Mossad director, threatened ICC chief prosecutor, Fatou Benaouda, as part of a (failed) Israeli effort to pressure her to abandon a war crimes investigation regarding the occupied Palestinian territories. (I too heard this.) https://t.co/0Ato74BIsn

— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) May 28, 2024

Bensouda reportedly briefed senior ICC officials about Cohen's persistent and increasingly threatening behavior, including an alleged statement urging her to "help us and let us take care of you. You don't want to be getting into things that could compromise your security or that of your family."

The Mossad also obtained transcripts of secret recordings of Bensouda's husband, which Israeli officials attempted to use to discredit the prosecutor, according to two sources who spoke with The Guardian. While a spokesperson for Netanyahu's office dismissed the allegations as "false and unfounded," legal experts suggest Cohen's actions could constitute offenses against the administration of justice under the ICC's founding Rome Statute.

"Four sources confirmed that Bensouda had briefed a small group of senior ICC officials about Cohen's attempts to sway her, amid concerns about the increasingly persistent and threatening nature of his behaviour," the paper said. The revelations come as Khan warned he would prosecute "attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence" ICC officials. A court spokesperson confirmed Khan's office had faced "several forms of threats and communications that could be viewed as attempts to unduly influence its activities."

The Guardian said a spokesperson from Netanyahu's office issued the following statement: "The questions forwarded to us are replete with many false and unfounded allegations meant to hurt the state of Israel." Cohen did not respond to a request for comment. Bensouda declined to comment.

Tags: Benjamin NetanyahuGaza WarICCIsraelThe HagueThe NetherlandsYossi Cohen

Related Posts

After surviving Gaza captivity: Former hostages get engagedCourtesy

After surviving Gaza captivity: Former hostages get engaged

by Noam Dvir

Former Gaza hostages Sasha Troufanov and Sapir Cohen have announced their engagement in the United States, where they are currently...

Top political commentator Amit Segal joins Israel HayomLiron Moldovan

Top political commentator Amit Segal joins Israel Hayom

by ILH Staff

One of Israel's most prominent political analysts, Amit Segal, is joining Israel Hayom and its new weekend magazine, The New...

Israeli collaborators expose Palestinian Authority's systematic tortureGetty Images

Israeli collaborators expose Palestinian Authority's systematic torture

by Yifat Erlich

Hundreds of Palestinians suspected by the Palestinian Authority of collaborating with Israel endured horrific torture, now seeking justice through Israeli...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il