A retired Israeli agent has denied charges in court that he made up information about Syria for some 20 years.

Yehuda Gil, one of Mossad's most respected case officers, also denied pocketing thousands of dollars provided by the Israeli foreign intelligence service for payment to what police say was a fictitious Syrian informant.

Yehuda Gil's motives remain the subject of debate

Mr Gil is charged with endangering state security by making up stories that exaggerated Syria's aggressive intentions. He is accused of bringing Israel and Syria to the brink of war.

Mr Gil was admired by his colleagues for his skill in recruiting and running agents. One agent said it was a case of: "If its difficult, call Yehuda, he will crack the guy."

His particular focus was Syria and he cultivated highly-placed sources in Damascus, providing Israel with a wealth of detailed information for over two decades.

Suspicions surfaced within Mossad when Mr Gil's pessimistic reports - particularly that Syria was preparing a surprise attack to recapture the Golan Heights last year - contradicted information received from army intelligence and other sources.

His assessment was over-ruled, but not before the cabinet had debated whether or not to mobilise - fearing the country could face another Middle East war.

Prosecutors say Mr Gil deliberately fabricated his report. He was arrested after an internal investigation. Tens of thousands of dollars were found at his house. Two decades of his work is now under examination.

The affair is another set-back for Mossad, following September's foiled assassination attempt against an Islamic radical in Jordan. It has shaken the faith Israelis had in what was one of their most respected institutions and there have been calls for changes within the agency.

Mr Gil's motives remain the subject of debate - whether he did it simply to enhance his reputation, or to gain some kind of financial reward. His associations with a far-right political party have led some to suggest that his motivation was ideological.

Publication of his photo is banned in Israel.
 

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