Final_Judgment

[246] Final Judgment 307
Israeli historian Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi assessed the parameters of
Ben-Barka's demise as follows: "The Mossad became involved in the
kidnapping of Ben-Barka in Paris. He was later murdered in cold blood.
Since the affair took place on French soil, and involved collaboration with
right-wing [i.e. pro-OAS] elements in the [SDECE], it led to a major political
crisis, to a purge of the service by DeGaulle.” 673
The irony for DeGaulle was immense. According to historian Stewart
Steven, "As always . . . one arm of the SDECE didn't know what the other
was doing. As one department [of the SDECE] was arranging for Ben
Barka's assassination, another [arm of the French intelligence agency] was
organizing a regular monthly paycheck paid [Ben Barka] through a French
scientific research center, one of the covers for the extensive SDECE
operation in Africa." 674
Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, Israeli historians, commented on the
crisis as follows: "De Gaulle, who suspected that his secret agency might be
plotting against him, was absolutely furious. He immediately ordered that
the secret service's house be put in order. He also directed his anger at
Israel." 675 The French president "ordered that the Mossad's European
command be removed from Paris, and he also ordered a cessation of all
intelligence cooperation between the two nations." 676
According to historian Stewart Steven, "As far as President DeGaulle was
concerned, the implications were that Israel was dealing with the OAS in
France, which was still active, still bent on revenge, and indubitably involved
through its supporters in the SDECE in the killing of Ben Barka. It meant
that Israel was involved in illegal activities on French soil, an affront to
French nationalism, and it meant that he himself, whose support for Israel
had never been challenged, had been dealt with treacherously." 677 According to
Steven, the Mossad expulsion from Paris was "a severe blow, perhaps the most
severe the Israeli secret service has ever suffered . . . DeGaulle was never to
forgive Israel." 678
CHRISTIAN DAVID
It just so happens that a chief suspect in the Ben-Barka murder was one
Christian David, a French gangster who was a known associate of the
aforementioned Michael Mertz, alleged participant in the JFK murder.
Ex-Army intelligence officer William Spector told JFK assassination
researcher Jim Marrs that David was part of the CIA's ZR/Rifle Team which
was under Angleton's supervision and which included the aforementioned
assassin, QJ/WIN.
What makes this all the more intriguing is that David has claimed
knowledge of a French team of assassins being involved in the JFK
murder. 679 David himself claims to have been offered a contract to kill JFK
by the Lansky-connected Guerini brothers, the leaders of the CIA-backed
French Corsican Mafia in Marseille. 680