29 Comments
User's avatar
Isha Yiras Hashem's avatar

What is the answer?

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

Ha! Whenever I heard about this on the news, everyone involved in the discussion would "wink wink nod nod," hinting that everyone in Israel knows already, and that a simple search in the internet would reveal his name. I searched but did not find a definitive answer. That's when I noticed that there were few results in English, so I decided to post on the subject. There are new developments since I posted. I will do a follow-up today.

Expand full comment
Viktor Khandourine's avatar

That was my reaction. Everyone knew about the event, but despite the apparent ease of monitoring, no one could identify the person. So I started thinking about a deliberate leak of information.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

See my follow-up, Viktor. I would like to hear your comments on that.

Expand full comment
Disa sacks's avatar

This is the first I’ve heard of this ! It isn’t widely known in The USA..

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

That is why I decided to post on this. I had seen nothing in the English-speaking press. There are new developments since I posted. I will do a follow-up today.

Expand full comment
required's avatar

it was my mistake. i'm not even israeli.

Expand full comment
The Resting Lion's avatar

This is real?

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

I am sad to say, it is as real as it gets. This is our background music to the war. There are new developments since I posted. I will do a follow-up today.

Expand full comment
The Resting Lion's avatar

Unbelievable. I’ll give it a read. Thanks for making me aware.

Expand full comment
Diana Murray's avatar

I heard about this some time after October 7. Then nothing.

There are too many unanswered questions about the utter failure to protect Israeli citizens *inside* the orders of Israel for hours on that black day. The total breakdown of command. Will they ever be answered?

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

Oh yes. What we are witnessing is the achingly slow breakdown of the old order in Israel. Those who are doing the fighting will be asking the questions when the time comes. They will get answers, if only in the name of their fallen comrades-at-arms. There are new developments since I posted. I will do a follow-up today.

Expand full comment
Diana Murray's avatar

Can't wait.

I should have been clearer. I meant that I heard about this mysterious man some months ago.

What I meant about the questions is the whole thing, not just this man.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

I understood what you were saying. That of course is the main question. And it isn't going anywhere. Just last night I saw a news segment called: "Where was the Air Force on Oct.7?" This almost a year later. As they say: This is going to get ugly.

Expand full comment
Miryamnae's avatar

…I’m confused…

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

Join the club. I'm doing a follow-up today. There is breaking news from last night.

Expand full comment
Sheri Oz's avatar

Waiting with baited breath for your update

Expand full comment
Liba's avatar

I’m shocked. Never heard of this. I’m not so much on the news, mostly human interest stories. Am waiting to hear more… but what could possibly be the motivation? I’m naive.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

I have a theory. Posting soon.

Expand full comment
Rebekah Lee's avatar

What an amazing story. Rather beggars the mind. Glad you're breaking it to the English world. Thanks for doing the legwork!

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

Thank you Rebekah.

Expand full comment
Viktor Khandourine's avatar

As always, one of the unique features of Israel is that it is almost impossible to hide something from society and it is very easy to confuse this society so that it does not pay attention to what one would like to hide.

About a month after the events, I already heard several versions, ranging from an ordinary adventurer who wanted to help the army, which could not cope with the situation, to a malicious spy collecting information.

Any version is possible, none can be trusted. Until we know more.

A lot depends on who is involved in this case, and the special danger is not the spy himself (he is neutralized), but the political games that can be played out around this case.

This could also be a war of the legal system against the state, which is becoming more and more obvious and a simple violation can be used as a scapegoat to hide the mistakes of the legal system.

We have seen the legal system attack the army in the case of the Sde Tayman scandal (the case is falling apart, there is still no evidence), an attack on the government in the case of forcing the Minister of Justice to carry out appointments.

So I look forward to your new updates.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

You are right on target and have a clear understanding of how things work here. Posted a follow-up. Please comment there. I am interested in what you have to say.

Expand full comment
Viktor Khandourine's avatar

Ehud, shalom, shavua tov. Recent events confirm that the situation was developing in this direction. A year later, we are even more convinced that the government and the army were faced with resistance from within.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

My problem with all this, Viktor, and my reluctance to revisit it, is that evidently we are talking about espionage at the hands of a friendly power. It is just depressing to think that our leadership (across the board) is infused with usefull idiots sellng their country out for some lentil soup, or a personal think tank.

Expand full comment
Viktor Khandourine's avatar

I understand you, Ehud. The fact is, we live in an era where leadership is lacking. Countries, organizations, armies, and corporations are not run by people capable of leading, changing the world for the better, or winning the people's trust and using it for good. Politicians, technocrats, demagogues, and simply lazybones lead. Success is not defined by personal qualities, authority, or accomplishments, but by ratings, the absence (or presence) of scandals, a good resume, patronage, and frequent mentions in the press or social media.

Such leaders are incapable of managing their circumstances. Circumstances control them, and they (depending on their experience and qualifications) pretend to be in charge.

This isn't just our problem; it's a global phenomenon.

The spy theme is no longer relevant. More important scandals are emerging now, shaking our country. And this was predictable. As soon as the war subsides and the existential danger seems far away, all those who allowed this situation to happen will try to shift the blame onto others.

The scandal with the chief military prosecutor, the scandal with the legal adviser, Qatar, and many others that will follow.

Of course, we are tired of all this, we are tired of losses and tragedies, of the number of enemies life pulls out of a hat, we are tired of constant scandals, rumors, hysteria, the media, and most importantly, lies.

But despite this, I am full of optimism. I am not worried about Israel, because Israel is stronger than New York (which has reason to be worried about). We know our enemies, we know their numbers, and we are ready for anything. And I don't know anyone who is as prepared for any challenge as we are.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

Leadership is lacking. You've said it all, Viktor.

Expand full comment
Carl Nelson's avatar

Your government seems to function much like ours.

Expand full comment
Ehud Neor's avatar

We cannot afford to.

Expand full comment