PM Bennett Celebrates Jewish New Year With IDF To Mossad, Shin Bet Director Candidate Figure Revealed

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, visited the headquarters of the country's three main security agencies, to toast Rosh Hashanah or toast in the Jewish New Year, Thursday local time.

Citing The Jerusalem Post September 3, PM Bennett celebrated the Jewish New Year at the headquarters of the Israeli military (IDF), the Israel Security Agency/Israeli Counterintelligence Agency Shin Bet, and the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.

In this celebration, PM Bennet was accompanied directly by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, Mossad Chief David Barnea and several senior Mossad commanders, as well as ShinBet Director Nadav Argaman and his deputy as well as a new director candidate called 'Mr. R'

"My vision for the State of Israel is to be strong and do good. On behalf of the Government of Israel and the entire Israeli public, I would like to thank you very much and wish you and your family a good year", Bennett told IDF officials, Mossad and Shin Bet officials.

Interestingly, the figure of 'Mr. PM Bennett's candidate for Director of Shin Bet also appeared on this occasion. R is prepared to replace Argaman on October 14.

'Mr.R' beat the former deputy director of Shin Bet who also had the initials 'R', as well as Meir Ben-Shabbat, Benjamin Netanyahu's favorite candidate while in power. 55 years old, 'Mr.R' who is married and has three children holds a master's degree from Harvard University.

'Mr.R' is known to have served in the IDF's General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, just like PM Naftali Bennett, who was a junior in the unit, which some belief influenced the final decision.

In 2011, R. was appointed chief of operations of Shin Bet. Then, in 2016, he was promoted to head of the Shin Bet headquarters, post No. 3, which is responsible for the formation of power. In 2018, he was appointed deputy director of the Shin Bet.

"Mr.R' is a brave fighter and an excellent commander. I do not doubt that he will lead the agency to new heights of excellence for Israel's security", said Bennett. The unit led by 'Mr. R' has received many security awards over the years.

R.'s identity will be made public only after he has passed the additional screening and approval stages. Usually, however, the prime minister's choice of director of the Shin Bet is always approved.

'Mr. R' is said to have an extensive track record of experience, including in addition to operating functions by performing the role of No. 2 and No. 3 on agencies that require broad exposure to all agency branches. However, critics say he lacks Ben-Shabbat's strategic acumen.