Former Mossad officer’s appointment highlights Tel Aviv University’s military ties

A former senior Mossad officer’s appointment as Tel Aviv University’s vice-president for industry relations and entrepreneurship has been seen as another sign of the university’s close ties to Israel’s defence establishment, Local Call reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the university (TAU) announced last month that Hagai Itkin, a former officer in Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, had been appointed to the role based on his previous experience, including “senior positions in the defence establishment”.

The university added that Itkin had held positions on campus for several years before his appointment, building “connections and links with the high-tech industry”.

Itkin retired from the Mossad in 2020 after nearly 20 years of service.