Former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen delivered a rare glimpse today (Sunday) into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Israeli policy toward Iran, the White House, and the Arab world. Speaking at the Haredi Real Estate Conference hosted by Mishpacha Magazine and Tera Real Estate Media, Cohen stated: “I believe Israel will not act without full coordination with the United States. I can’t imagine such a scenario.”
Cohen shared that he heard Donald Trump’s position firsthand: “When Trump says to the Prime Minister, ‘If negotiations fail, I’ll strike — and Israel will lead,’ that’s deep cooperation.” He emphasized that such an operation must include defensive systems in addition to offensive capabilities: “This kind of action demands dramatic defensive infrastructure.”
According to Cohen, the basis for close cooperation is already in place: “I know the key players well. This isn’t a theoretical scenario — it’s a realistic assessment.”
He also revealed that near the end of his term as Mossad chief, he met with President Joe Biden and warned him: “I told him — don’t withdraw from Iraq. The American presence there serves as a physical buffer against Iran.”
On the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, Cohen clarified: “There’s no distancing. He has a strategy. Not every American official carries an Israeli flag in their pocket — but some do.” He added: “I wouldn’t say there’s a significant rift — perhaps only differences in nuance and approach.” He concluded: “You can’t run America — but you can cooperate with it.”
Cohen also spoke about the possibility of a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia: “The groundwork for an agreement has been in place since my time at the Mossad. Trump doesn’t need to visit Israel to sign it — he already received a tremendous welcome here.” He added: “If we remove the Iranian threat, it’s entirely plausible to envision a roundtable in Riyadh with all the Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.”
On Qatar, Cohen was clear and unequivocal: “Qatar is not part of this puzzle. We need it as a mediator — but we denounce its support for terrorism. It’s not among the countries expected to normalize ties with Israel in the near future.”
In contrast to the Gulf states that seek stability and cooperation, “Qatar projects something entirely different.”
Addressing the threat from the Houthis, Cohen said: “The Houthis have carried out intensive attacks — and the Americans aren’t responding. Israel can. I believe Israel has the capability to inflict irreversible damage on their strategic sites.”
He concluded with a clear message: “We have to choose — either a comprehensive agreement that neutralizes the threat, or a military strike. One of these must happen. There’s no more time to waste.”
