Netanyahu Praises Mossad Leadership at Excellence Awards Ceremony
Jerusalem — December 17, 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praised the leadership and courage of Mossad officials while speaking at the Mossad Excellence Awards Ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Addressing Mossad Director David Barnea, Netanyahu said he confidently approves ambitious intelligence plans because of his strong trust in Barnea’s skills, boldness, and dedication. Referring to his own past service, the prime minister remarked that success often comes when leaders support daring decisions.
Ceremony Honors Outstanding Service
The ceremony took place on the third night of Hanukkah and brought together Israel’s senior leadership and intelligence community. President Isaac Herzog and Mossad Director David Barnea jointly presented certificates of excellence to 12 Mossad employees in recognition of their exceptional contributions to Israel’s security.
President Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Director Barnea attended the event, along with former Mossad directors, senior officials, commanders, and the families of the honorees. The gathering highlighted the agency’s continued commitment to excellence and national defense.
Diverse Roles Recognized
Now in its 15th year, the Mossad Excellence Award honored four women and eight men this year. The recipients represented a wide range of professional roles, reflecting the agency’s operational depth.
Among those recognized were field operatives working in hostile territories, recruitment and case officers, operations personnel, cyber warfare specialists, and experts in intelligence, technology, and headquarters planning. Each honoree was acknowledged for unique achievements that significantly strengthened Israel’s security capabilities.
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