Naftali Granot
N is a cryptonym used by the Israeli media to refer to a particular Mossad officer.[1]
Head of Tzomet
N is a former head of Tzomet, Mossad's agent-running department. During this time, he had difficult relations with Mossad chief Meir Dagan because of Dagan's demand for quicker agent recruitment.[2]
Deputy head of Mossad
N was nevertheless appointed deputy head of Mossad in 2005. At the time Haaretz intelligence correspondent Yossi Melman reported that doubt could be case on the appointment because "Some of his colleagues say that N. is "wily and manipulative", but added that he was a skilled collection agent.[2]
Yossi Melman wrote in 2007 of N's record:
- In recent years N. excelled in two particular tasks he was assigned - the diplomatic efforts against Iran's nuclear ambitions, and intelligence on Hezbollah. Under N. the relations between Mossad and the IDF also improved. Traditionally, the relationship between the Mossad and Military Intelligence has been tense.
- The working relations between Dagan and N. had been considered to be good, but they hit a wall of late. Last week the Mossad head and his deputy concluded that they can no longer continue performing as a team.[2]
N was seen as a potential successor to Dagan, until this falling out led to his resignation in in 2007. According to Yossi Melman, there were differing accounts as to whether Dagan or N himself initiated his departure.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Amir Oren, Mossad deputy chief N. quits after spat with boss Dagan, Haaretz, 25 June 2007.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Yossi Melman, Returning the Mossad to its basics, Haaretz, 15 November 2005.
