Shabtai Shavit, the former director-general of the Israeli intelligence agency the Mossad in the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 84. Shavit played a key role in brokering peace between Israel and Jordan, overseeing assassinations of Islamic terrorists, and navigating the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse. The news of his death was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Although no cause of death was specified, Mr. Shavit’s contributions to Israel’s operations, intelligence, security, and strategy were recognized by David Barnea, the current director of the Mossad.
Despite the controversies surrounding the Mossad’s clandestine operations, including targeted assassinations defended by Shavit, he received widespread acclaim for his involvement in the historic 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. This treaty, the first between Israel and an Arab country since 1979, established diplomatic relations and prevented both countries from allowing their territories to be used for military attacks.
Shavit’s memoir highlighted the intelligence’s role in identifying Egypt and Jordan’s willingness to negotiate peace, emphasizing the agency’s active participation in the peace talks with Jordan. The day after signing the peace declaration with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin at the White House in July 1994, Shavit received a personal call from King Hussein of Jordan, expressing gratitude for his role in achieving peace.
While known for his peacekeeping efforts, Shavit was also renowned as a spymaster, accused of ordering retaliatory attacks against terrorists. During his tenure, high-profile figures such as Atef Bseiso and Fathi Shiqaqi were assassinated, allegedly by the Mossad. The agency also faced criticism for failing to prevent attacks on the Israeli embassy and Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. These attacks, carried out by a Hezbollah unit, demonstrated the global reach of militant groups and raised questions about Israel’s responsibility for protecting Jews worldwide.
Shavit’s 32-year career at the Mossad included serving as director under three prime ministers. He was appointed by Yitzhak Shamir in 1989 and continued until the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. As the first Mossad director born after Israel’s founding, Shavit’s name remained classified until transparency became a priority during his tenure.
In recent months, Shavit voiced opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s efforts to limit the power of the country’s judiciary. He advocated for a negotiated two-state solution to achieve peace with the Palestinians. Shavit’s stance reflected his belief that human life should take precedence over land and territory.
Born on July 17, 1939, in Nesher, Israel, Shavit came from an academic background with his father as a school principal and mother as a nursery school teacher. He served in the Navy and an elite military unit before pursuing higher education. Shavit studied Middle East studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard.
Recruited by the Mossad in 1964, Shavit played a crucial role in the response to the intelligence community’s lapses during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. He emphasized the Mossad’s actions during this failure and its commitment to exceeding expectations. Shavit’s assignments included stations in Iran, where he prioritized preparedness for potential nuclear weapons developments.
After retiring from the Mossad in 1996, Shavit took on various roles in healthcare, gas, and security industries. He also advised the Knesset and chaired an organization that awarded scholarships to veterans. Additionally, he played a key role in establishing the International Counter Terrorism Institute in Israel and collaborated with the New York City Fire Department to create a terrorism preparedness task force.
Shavit advocated for the pardon of Marc Rich, an American oil trader, and praised him for supporting the Mossad and financing evacuations of Jews from different countries. Shavit is survived by his wife, Yael, who worked alongside him as a covert agent, as well as his children and grandchildren.
In his memoir, “Head of the Mossad: In Pursuit of a Safe and Secure Israel,” Shavit expressed concerns about the instability of the post-Cold War world and the rise of international terrorism, particularly the threat posed by the Islamic State. Despite his critical views on Netanyahu, Shavit was known for his taciturn nature and legendary reputation for silence.
Ronen Bergman contributed to this report.
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