Yuval Diskin
Encyclopedia
Yuval Diskin (born 1956) was the 12th Director of Shabak (frequently referred to as Shin Bet) (from 2005 to 2011).
In the Israel Defense Forces
, Diskin served as deputy company commander of Sayeret
Shaked (the command Sayeret of the Israeli Southern Command
). In 1978, he was recruited to the Shabak and served as area coordinator for the Nablus
district. During the 1982 Lebanon War
, Diskin operated in Beirut
and Sidon
.
In 1984, he became the coordinator of Nablus District, and by 1989, also the Jenin
and Tulkarm
districts. In 1990, he was appointed Department head in the Shabak's Arab Affairs Branch. In 1994, he became the head of the Arab Affairs Branch.
From 1997, Diskin was appointed as the commander of the Jerusalem District
. From 2000 to 2003, he was the Shabak's Deputy Director. From 2003, he was on a study sabbatical, during which he became special advisor to Mossad
Director, Meir Dagan
. On May 15, 2005, he replaced Avi Dichter
as Shabak Director. On May 15, 2011, Diskin was replaced in this position by his former deputy, Yoram Cohen
.
In the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, Diskin served as deputy company commander of Sayeret
Sayeret
Sayeret , literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces . In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance...
Shaked (the command Sayeret of the Israeli Southern Command
Israeli Southern Command
The Israeli Southern Command , often abbreviated to Padam is a regional command of the Israel Defense Forces. It is responsible for the Negev, the Arava, and Eilat. It is currently headed by Aluf Tal Russo.-History:...
). In 1978, he was recruited to the Shabak and served as area coordinator for the Nablus
Nablus
Nablus is a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank, approximately north of Jerusalem, with a population of 126,132. Located in a strategic position between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural center.Founded by the...
district. During the 1982 Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
, Diskin operated in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
and Sidon
Sidon
Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...
.
In 1984, he became the coordinator of Nablus District, and by 1989, also the Jenin
Jenin
Jenin is the largest town in the Northern West Bank, and the third largest city overall. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns. In 2007, the city had a population of 120,004 not including the adjacent refugee...
and Tulkarm
Tulkarm
Tulkarem or Tulkarm is a Palestinian city in the northern Samarian mountain range in the Tulkarm Governorate in the extreme northwestern West Bank adjacent to the Netanya and Haifa districts to the west, the Nablus and Jenin Districts to the east...
districts. In 1990, he was appointed Department head in the Shabak's Arab Affairs Branch. In 1994, he became the head of the Arab Affairs Branch.
From 1997, Diskin was appointed as the commander of the Jerusalem District
Jerusalem District
The Jerusalem District is one of six administrative districts of Israel. The district capital is Jerusalem. The Jerusalem District has a land area of 652 km². The population of 910,300 is 67.8% Jewish and 30.6% Arab...
. From 2000 to 2003, he was the Shabak's Deputy Director. From 2003, he was on a study sabbatical, during which he became special advisor to Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
Director, Meir Dagan
Meir Dagan
Meir Dagan is a former Israel Defense Forces officer and former Director of the Mossad .-Biography:...
. On May 15, 2005, he replaced Avi Dichter
Avi Dichter
Avi Dichter is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He is a former Minister of Internal Security and Shin Bet director.-Biography:...
as Shabak Director. On May 15, 2011, Diskin was replaced in this position by his former deputy, Yoram Cohen
Yoram Cohen
Yoram Cohen is the Shin Bet chief .-Shin Bet Service:In 1982, after finishing his compulsory service in the IDF, he started working at the Shin Bet. His first post at Shin Bet was security officer for the field coordinators...
.