counterterrorism to the Israeli government, then under the premier-
ship of Shimon Peres. He had previously served as party spokesper-
son and campaign manager in Peres’s failed 1977 bid for premiership
and subsequently as military correspondent for Israel Television; he
was also a doctoral student at Tel Aviv University researching strate-
gic studies. In the Israel Defense Forces reserves, Nir rose to the rank
of lieutenant colonel. For his 1984 appointment, he took an intelli-
gence course, but the Mossadbalked at this political appointment,
claiming he was not qualified to advise on counterterrorism. From
November 1984 to December 1985, Nir tried to build contacts in the
intelligence community. As an outsider this was not an easy task. Nir,
who was creative and dynamic, sought out areas that others deemed
to be of no interest.
In his role as adviser on counterterrorism, Nir played a part in Is-
rael’s response to the 1985 hijacking of the Italian passenger liner
Achille Lauro. The vessel was en route from Alexandria, Egypt, to the
port of Ashdod on the Israeli coast when it was hijacked on 7 Octo-
ber. Israel quickly established contact with the United States, whose
forces in the Mediterranean were put on special alert. Nir’s opposite
number in this episode was Colonel Oliver North of the U.S. National
Security Council.
Concurrently, Prime Minister Shimon Peres, apparently in need of
someone from outside the traditional ranks of the Israeli intelligence
community to coordinate prospective arms sales to Iran in a covert
American-Israeli scheme later known as Irangate Affair, found Nir
suitable for the job. Although not a member of the Israeli intelligence
community, and working behind the Mossad’s back, he became privy
to documents containing all the sensitive details of the American-
Israeli relationship since the early 1980s. Nir’s U.S. counterpart in
Irangate was again Colonel North.
When the story of secret dealings between the United States, Is-
rael, and Iran first appeared in the press in November 1986, North
wanted Nir to take the blame for the joint plan. Nir refused. He re-
signed from government service in March 1987. Apparently he
opened a London-based regional sales office for an unidentified Is-
raeli security firm, from which he engaged in arms and oil contracts
with Mexican buyers. On 28 November 1988 Nir arrived in Mexico
City from Madrid. Identifying himself as Patrick Weber, he chartered
a twin-engine Cessna from the Aerotaxis de Urupan commuter airlineNIR, AMIRAM• 21106-102 (03) H-P.qxd 3/24/06 7:25 AM Page 211