An Intelligence Agency is a government agency responsible for the collection, analysis and exploitation of information in support of law enforcement, national security, military and foreign policy objectives. One of the world’s most mysterious Intelligence Agencies is the Mossad. While India has the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the United States of America (USA) has the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Israel has Mossad. It is definitely more than what meets the eye.
Formation of Mossad
Israel, the world’s only Jewish State, was established on May 14, 1948, at 4 pm, thereby fulfilling a Biblical Prophecy stated out in the Book of Isaiah 66:8.
Since Israel’s formation, it was evident that the Jewish State required more than a military to protect it from the clutches of the surrounding Arab enemies. Israel needed ‘superior intelligence’ which will be capable of identifying and reacting to the threats posed by its enemies. Being the only Jewish State in the entire world, the nation strived to be the ‘Defender of Jews’. When faced by terrorist attacks, the nation itself goes ahead to ensure justice for its Jewish citizens when other countries fail to do so.
Established on December 13, 1949, Mossad is headquartered at Tel Aviv, Israel. Its full name is ‘Mossad Merkazi le-Modiin ule-Tafkidim Meyuhadim’ (Hebrew for ‘Central Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations’). Israel has been blessed with three major intelligence organizations, namely, Aman (military intelligence), Shin Bet (internal security) and the most recognized one being Mossad.
Functions of Mossad
- Gather Intelligence;
- Pursue the anti-Semitism;
- Analysis of Intelligence;
- Covert operations;
- Prevent terrorism both inside and outside of Israel;
- Protect its residents from the ‘enemies of Israel’;
- Ensure national security;
- Help the Jewish refugees reach the Land of Israel.
Values that make Mossad a revered organization
- Belief that service in the organization is a national mission;
- Identify with Israel’s values, statehood and goals of Mossad;
- Develop excellence, task orientation and dedication;
- Comply with providing justice while being honest, moral, simple, brave, accountable and confidential;
- Train the employees and showcase a sense of ‘team spirit’;
- Open to various innovations, resourcefulness and criticisms;
- Lead by example and serve as a source of inspiration.
Logo
Mossad’s Logo was proposed by the then Senior Mossad Official, Shlomo Cohen Abarbanel, in the 1970s. It has been designed to include a ‘Menorah’ (Ancient Hebrew seven-branched lampstand made of pure gold, used in the Temple of Jerusalem), encircled by the Verse from the Book of Proverbs 11:14, which states that ‘Where no wise direction is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety’. As per the Agency’s official website, ‘This verse should always pave the way, encourage initiative and creativity, but also act as a severe warning sign.’
Composition of Spy Agency
Today, the Mossad has approximately 7,000 employees, led by its twelfth Director, Yosef ‘Yossi’ Meir Cohen since January 6, 2016. Cohen is known for winning the prestigious ‘Israel Security Prize’ for his commendable work and is undoubtedly considered to be a ‘tough boss’, as written by Ronen Bergman, an Intelligence reporter.
On July 5, 2020, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that he would be extending Cohen’s term by six months, through June 2021. The decision was taken as a result of ‘the security challenges facing the State of Israel’. Mossad’s Head reports directly to the Nation’s Prime Minister.
Noteworthy Cases showcasing Mossad’s Commitment to Serving Justice
Operation |
Mission |
Key points |
|
Finale Operation
|
Bring to Justice the SS Officer Adolf Eichmann, a renowned German Nazi, who supervised the annihilation of Jews as part of Adolf Hitler’s ‘final solution of the Jewish problem’. | a) After the War– Adolf Eichmann was living in Argentina by concealing his true identity;
b) May 11,1960-A team of 8 Mossad agents secretly travelled to Argentina and kidnapped the Officer; c) May 20, 1960- Adolf Eichmann was disguisedly snuck off onto an El-Al flight by Mossad’s team; d) May 31, 1962- the Nazi Officer was executed after a year of trial. |
| Operation Outside The Box
|
Destroy the nuclear weapons created as a result of the relationship between Syria and North Korea in 2001. The deadly collaboration proved to be a threat to Israel. |
a) Late 2006- Mossad agents cleverly gained access to Syria’s nuclear facility built with North Korea’s and Iran’s assistance; b) The raids were kept extremely confidential for 7 months; c) Sept 6, 2007- Israeli jets destroyed the suspected reactor and terminated Syria’s nuclear programme. |
|
A joint operation by the Mossad and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
|
Execution of Imad Mughniyeh, one of the founders of Hezbollah and also responsible for major terrorist attacks. |
a) Imad Mughniyeh used to be in constant movement by continuously changing his appearance;
b) February 2008- Mossad’s team tracked him in Damascus; c) Another one of Mossad teams tactfully followed him and he was assassinated by way of his car exploding on February 12, 2008. |
| Operation Moses |
Assist the Ethiopian Jews to escape from Sudan in the early 1980s. |
a) The Ethiopian Jews stayed in Sudan’s refugee camps due to the then civil war, famine and persecution. Sudan refused to free the Jews back to their homeland. b) Mossad operated a resort along the Red Sea Coast as a ‘cover’, which was home to Mossad’s officials; c) By day, it was a fun-filled resort and by night, the officials used to travel to the refugee camps to rescue the Ethiopian Jews and send them back to their own land. |
| Operation Wrath of God | Assassinate the members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who were involved in the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics. |
One by one, slowly and steadily, the criminals were pursued and brought to justice for causing unnecessary grief to the State and its people. |
Mossad stands out from other intelligence agencies because –
- It is a shadow organization – they can come from anywhere and then vanish into thin air;
- Willingness is unparalleled;
- Uses unique techniques and tactics.
Mossad’s missions, either carried out single-handedly or in collaboration with other agencies, have benefitted not only Israel but also the rest of the world in the long run. To sum it up, Mossad is like an ordained fire protecting the State of Israel. If the enemies try to fiddle with it, they will surely get burnt.
