Former Mossad director Tamir Pardo has ignited a firestorm, labeling the Gaza war “insane” and a “waste of time” for Israel, a sentiment echoing widely.Intelligence veterans, including over 250 signatories, now urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to halt the conflict.Public opinion mirrors this dissent, with the primary_keyword hostages and the secondary_keyword cease-fire proposal dominating headlines. News Directory 3 delivers this crucial update on the Israeli public’s growing frustration and the demand for peace. Polls reveal that a vast majority now distrust the government’s war strategy and desire a deal with Hamas. Discover what’s next as negotiations continue amid mounting pressure…
Former Mossad Chief Calls Gaza War “Insane,” says It Doesn’t Benefit Israel
Updated June 05, 2025
Tel Aviv is seeing growing dissent against the ongoing war in Gaza, with manny Israelis prioritizing the return of hostages held by Hamas and an end to the conflict. This sentiment extends beyond the political left, fueled by distrust in the government’s handling of the situation.
Tamir Pardo, former director of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, has emerged as a vocal critic. Pardo, who led the Mossad from 2011 to 2016, described the war as “insane” and a “waste of time,” asserting that it does not serve Israel’s interests.He emphasized that while defending the country is crucial, endless warfare is not the solution.
Pardo’s criticism comes amid increasing public frustration.Protests have become commonplace,with demonstrators demanding the government secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the fighting. the depth of this discontent is evident even in everyday interactions, from airport announcements to street slogans.
Adding to the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, more than 250 veteran Israeli intelligence officers, including Pardo and two other former Mossad directors, signed an open letter urging him to prioritize de-escalation. They argued that continuing the war would not achieve its stated objectives and would endanger the lives of hostages, soldiers, and civilians.
Recent polling data reflects this widespread dissatisfaction. According to one survey, 70% of Israelis do not trust the government, and a similar percentage favors a deal with Hamas to secure the hostages’ release and end the war. these figures highlight the growing gap between the government’s policies and the public’s desire for peace and security.
We are already 600 days after October 7. And we have five divisions deployed in Gaza. And I don’t see an end to that war.
It is useless. It’s accomplishing nothing. Nothing. I’m not talking about those people who are living or dying in Gaza. I’m talking about Israel. From Israel’s point of view, it’s a waste of time. What we’re doing—waste of lives, waste of money, wasting the future.
The latest cease-fire proposal involves exchanging hostages,both living and deceased,for Palestinian prisoners. While Israel has agreed to a temporary pause in fighting,Hamas seeks a commitment to a permanent end to the war,a point of contention in ongoing negotiations.
At the end of the day, when I’m thinking about my children, my grandchildren, I would like that they’re going to live in a safe country, but in a peaceful country.
And in order to achieve peace, from time to time, you have to use your sword. But I don’t think that you can solve the problem with your sword. What’s happening here now in Israel, it’s insane.
What’s next
The coming weeks will be critical as negotiations continue and public pressure mounts on the Israeli government to find a resolution that prioritizes the return of the hostages and brings an end to the Gaza war.
