Over the past weekend, the left-wing feed on Israeli social media was in an uproar. The reason: the son of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto got engaged, and several senior Likud ministers attended the celebration—including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman, Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar, and Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem.
It did not stop at senior Likud ministers. One of the more surprising figures who participated in the joyous occasion was former Mossad Director David Barnea, who concluded his tenure this past June. As expected, left-wing commentators took issue with their decision to participate, pointing to the fact that Rabbi Pinto previously served a prison sentence following a conviction for bribery and obstruction of justice.
Former Mossad Chief David Barnea embraces Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto at his son’s engagement party | Video: Photo: Josh Breiner / X
The event, which actually took place on August 6th, continued to generate posts and tweets from left-wing journalists and commentators who struggled to digest the sights. For instance, Haaretz police reporter Josh Breiner tweeted yesterday: “I already told you there’s really nothing to see here, nothing that would make you cringe with embarrassment over what the hell is happening here—it’s just the man who was one of the heads of the defense establishment, Mossad Chief David Barnea, palling around with convicted felon and his bestie Yoshiyahu Pinto.” Social media users who stumbled upon Breiner’s tweet were quick to push back, commenting: “To remind you, we are Jews, and if someone is invited to a celebration—why on earth not?”
Barnea, who recently concluded a career spanning nearly three decades in the Mossad, is currently adjusting to life after the defense establishment. Just last week, it was reported that the former Mossad chief is turning a new page in his career by joining the Nasdaq-traded defense technology company Ondas. Barnea was appointed Global President of Ondas Defense and Chairman of the company. In his new role, he is expected to lead its business and technological strategy, expand operations into international markets, advance next-generation defense technologies, and lead M&A processes and business-technological integration.
Upon assuming the position, Barnea stated that he looks forward to working with the company’s team, supporting its global expansion, and assisting in the development of the next generation of multi-dimensional, AI-driven defense systems.