NSC director Ilan Mizrachi submitted his resignation, effective on
Nov. 1. Mizrachi, who served nearly 18 months, said he concluded that the
council was unable to properly advise the government on strategic issues,
including Iran, Lebanon, Palestinian Authority and Syria, Middle East Newsline reported.
"Due to the political culture and other reasons, the council is no
longer able to fill the central role it deserves," Mizrachi, a former Mossad
intelligence chief, told the Israeli news agency Ynet. "I have told the
prime minister in the past that I wish to end my term."
The deputy director of NSC, Itamar Ya'ar, also submitted his
resignation after five years on the council. Brig. Gen. Danny Arditi, head
of the council's Counter-Terrorism Bureau, also plans to leave. On Sept. 10,
the bureau warned Israelis not to travel to Colombia.
"The threat has increased against Israelis connected with the Colombian
government, particularly assassination and abduction," Arditi said.
The NSC, established in 1999, has been unable to play a major role in
government decisions. There have been six council directors, serving around
one year each, and each of them critical of the lack of access to the prime
minister.
"There was a series of achievements that were not reached by my
successor," said Mizrachi, who after his initial criticism praised the
government.
Officials said that in 2007 NSC moved from Tel Aviv to the prime
minister's office in Jerusalem. They said NSC participated in security
meetings and managed the agenda of the so-called Security Cabinet, assigned
to discuss classified issues.
"During his tenure, Mr. Mizrachi contributed widely to the National
Security Council's status and was involved in a series of procedures aimed
at improving the council's abilities and functioning," a statement by
Olmert's office said.
