Bill may stop former security chiefs from talking to press
Likud MK Danon proposes “Dagan Bill” implementing a cooling-off period before former senior security officials can speak to media.
By LAHAV HARKOVMier Dagan speaking_521(photo credit: Courtesy)
MK Danny Danon (Likud) proposed on Thursday a bill implementing a cooling-off period before former senior security officials can speak to the press, following former Mossad chief Meir Dagan’s comments on Iran.The “Dagan Bill” would forbid those like Dagan and former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin, who also criticized the prisoner exchange for Gilad Schalit, from publicly discussing matters of national security for one year after they leave their jobs, as an addendum to the law requiring a three-year cooling-off period before running for public office.“Meir Dagan’s words have created the need for a bill that would limit the heads of security agencies,” Danon explained.
“The exaggerated and dangerous public discourse on Iran was created by Dagan and may harm Israel’s security,” he continued.“We are repeating the mistakes of the Second Lebanon War and allowing the media to provide sensitive information, giving important intelligence to our enemies,” the Likud MK pointed out.According to Danon, this bill is not a violation of freedom of speech, because national secrets that such officials are privy to are not their own, but “borrowed” from the state. Therefore, he says they should not be able to use them for their own, personal advantage.
