Getting to know Mossad

Translator: Davood Salehan
Source: rasekhoon.net







Genesis of Mossad
In May 1948 / Ordibehesht 1327, finally, after a century and a half wide and all-round effort of Jewish and Zionist leaders and focuses, the Declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel in the Palestinian Territories was issued and the hopes and promises of Zionist pioneers came true.
American writers of the book “dangerous contact”, pointing to the facade of secret, hidden building of Mossad which had no symbol on the Street Khadardafana in Palestine, have recognized the Jewish intelligence community’s role in the creation of the Israel as fundamental role and believe that full success of Israelis in establishing Jews’ government in Palestine has been largely debtor of intelligence which today is called covert operations. Wide efforts of the Jews and hidden and secret support of America were two key roles in this movement that both of these two factors were dependent of the Jews who belonged to out of Israel. At the heart of this information scrambling there was a secret organization which was called Shai.
After the establishment of the State of Israel, as intelligence priorities and missions of the Israeli community were changed and altered, David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel, dissolved Shai and instead of that created three separate intelligence agencies. Military Intelligence Service was created primarily to deal with the Arab armies and was under the control of the Ministry of Defense. Foreign Intelligence Service that veteran Garyel was its president and ran it, was a part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Jewish affairs section which was reorganized by the title of Shin Bet was being headed by a slim Russians called Acer Harel, and he was in charge of domestic security and intelligence.
In 1951, followed by a series of internal conflicts, Israeli intelligence system was changed again. Instead of the external sector which was considered as a part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a new agency was created, which was under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister. The agency was the same Mossad, which later became a legendary organization. Its responsibility went for Shilloa.
Samuel Katz as a veteran Israeli whose work has been published in coordination with official circles and the Israeli government writes that: the Jewish Agency that in 1940 was more like a Department of Defense for its secret operating segments than a political organization in pre-independence [the establishment of Israel in 1948/1327 CE.], with the full support of the High Command [militias and terrorist groups] formed Haganah, the National intelligence service, to meet the needs of the new situation. The new National Intelligence Service had famous name of Shai on it.
Many Israeli competent researchers consider creation of the organization as true birth of military intelligence unit. This is while some others believe that the nucleus of a Jewish military intelligence unit existed in Palestine from 1909. That was when the Jewish terrorist armed group of Hashumer had Arab villagers [Palestinian] of the nearby villages under observation. In June 1940, Shai founded a special Arabic unit. The unit was commanded by Ezra Danian which had the responsibility of regular collection and analysis of information about military capabilities of Arabs and their intentions.
Samuel Katz knows the role of England and its intelligence service in the formation and emergence of Shai as a substantial role:
The new organization of Shai established close ties with the British intelligence service and actually tried to adjust his way and methods according to what existed in M.I.4, the British Military Intelligence; M.I.5, counter-intelligence service of England, and M.I.6, the British foreign intelligence service. In a few years before World War II, British intelligence services helped Shai during the formation of groups of military intelligence. Their relationship began when some riots were raised in Palestine in 1936, and Haganah and British intelligence units cooperated with each other to quell the rebellious Arabs.
According to English Stewart Steven: In addition to the Haganah, there was another organization named Shrot Iediot, which was the officer of gathering information. Later it was called by the name of Shai.
The author in other pages of the book has considered Shai as information office of the Haganah which worked with the cover name of institution of helping the heroes. He talked about a meeting which according to the command of David Ben-Gurion, political leader of the Haganah and Israeli Prime Minister, was held in the first days after the declaration of the Zionist regime, with the aim of making changes and restructuring of Israel's intelligence and spy system:
Acer Beery, one of the leading commanders of Shai, who incidentally had presidency responsibility in the first meeting, told the audience that the Prime Minister has asked him to make changes in the building of Shai. It was suggested to form three departments: intelligence and anti-intelligence military service (by acronym of Amon) headed by Acer Beery, intelligence and anti-intelligence political service (abbreviated Mossad) as agent of gathering information from all parts of the world, headed by Boris Guryel, and finally, the third service (known as Shin Bet) with internal mission headed by Acer Horel.
The joint and classified report of intelligence agencies of the United States of America, consisting of anti-social Operations Management (DOCS), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Defense Intelligence Agency [America's military intelligence] (DIA), gives a great importance to the history and genesis of Israel's secret intelligence service, known as the Mossad:
In 1948, when the England’s mandate ended, the Jewish population of Palestine established Israel. Among the government agencies that were created, there was also intelligence and security unit which was known as to the news service (information) of Shai. The organization was intelligence arm of the Zionist underground resistance force [Jewish terrorist organization of Haganah] at the time of the British mandate, with the establishment of the Jewish Agency [Sakhnut] in 1929, in the [international] Congress of Zionists in Zurich, Switzerland, began an operation in world scale. At that time, the Jewish Agency was made of Zionists and non-Zionists with active and extensive participation of Americans. [...].
The agency was used as a cover for Shai and expanded its secret operations in Western Europe and the United States.
From 1923 to 1948, Shai’s objectives were:
Promoting the establishment of an independent Israeli state, influence on the patronage establishments and services of England ... collecting political news and information for use in Zionist advertising, influence in the Arab and anti-Zionist parties in Palestine and neighboring countries ... , maintaining the security of swindler of arms and illegal migration program of [the Jews to Palestine] and ...
Shai was composed of the following sections:
Political intelligence, homeland security and anti-spy, military intelligence, police branch of military intelligence, and finally, maritime security and intelligence [...].
In April 1951, prime minister (David Ben-Gurion) and his cabinet… felt danger and decide to rebuild the whole construction of Israel’s intelligence and security community due to internal conflicts and lack of harmony in subsets of Shai strongly.
The mission was put in charge of a man named Raven Shilloa. Shilloa, head of the reference, which was named committee of leaders of Vedat (promise), combined maritime intelligence and security service and air unit with military intelligence. Make political Intelligence Service separated and independent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and rebuilt it in the form of intelligence service (Mossad).
Homeland Security and Counter-Intelligence Service (Shin Bet), other than internal changes still remained intact [...].
Israeli security and intelligence services preserved the structure relatively unchanged during the Arab-Israeli wars in October and November 1956, June 1967 Six Days War and the Yom Kippur War [holy war] in October 1973. In early 1963, just before the retirement and resignation, Ben-Gurion selected a committee to examine and determine the situation. He was concerned that security and intelligence services that due to his role as prime minister and defense minister generally made satisfying operations, decline with his resign. [...].
In July 1963, the committee submitted its report to the new Prime Minister, Levi Eshkol. Among the changes was giving the Shin Bet’s authorities and responsibilities from the secretary to the Prime Minister recommended by the committee.
In a short distance between September 1965 and July 1966, Acer Horel, former head of the "Vedat (promise)" and the head of Mossad, served as an adviser to Eshkol, Prime Minister on security and intelligence issues [...].
Following the mentioned failure and data loss in the Yom Kippur War [of Ramadan], the Israeli government determined to the Agrant commission to investigate issues related to combat operations and performance of the security and intelligence services. The Commission in its preliminary and short report in April 1974 raised proposal of strengthening and activating the post of special adviser of the prime minister in information and security issues [...].
From 1974 to 1976, preliminary recommendations of the report of Agrant Commission were applied. Prime Minister appointed Marshal Rohaum Zeevi as his Special Adviser [...]. In October 1976, Zeevi resigned from this post and retired brigadier and former head of military intelligence Yehoshafat Herkaby succeeded him.
Goals
According to classified documents and information of intelligence, security and espionage services of America basic goals and objectives of Israel's intelligence services are:
1. Arabic countries; their ability and power, their purposes and ideas about Israel, their relations with the Soviet Union and other powers, their official facilities and representatives throughout the world, leaders, internal politics and inter-Arab politics, social and military features , military readiness, and others fighting issues of [them].
2. Gathering information about secret policies or decisions of the United States [...].
3. Collecting scientific information in America and other developed countries.
4. The decisions and policies of the Soviet government and Eastern European countries towards Israel and Jews’ immigration problems from these areas.
5. Monitoring and following all anti-Zionist activities worldwide.
6. Collecting political and economic information on all areas of self-interest, such as Africa.
“Vedat” (Promise) (Committee of Heads of Services)
The main reference of data and security of Israel [with Hebrew name] is promise of Rashehee Hashrotym (Committee of Heads of Services) which is usually called and known as "Vedat". Vedat ordinates the activities and operations of its members. Mosasd Letafekdym Myuchadim (intelligence service), commonly known by the name of the Mossad has the responsibility of the external operations and is under supervision of the Prime Minister.
Sherot Bytachun Kalali (Internal Security and Counter-Intelligence) which is known as the Shin Bet is responsible for all security matters under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.
Agaf Modyn (military intelligence) has main responsibility for strategic military and communications information and is under the command of Army Chief of Staff.
According to these basis, central intelligence and security structures of Israel is called Vedat whose main task is accompaniment of all security and intelligence activities inside and outside Israel. Vedat is made of following members, services and elements:
1) head of Mossad, 2) head of military intelligence, 3) head of the Shin Bet, 4) head of the inspection, 5) General Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 6) Head of Research and Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7) political, military, and intelligence and counter-terrorism advisers of Prime Minister.
... Head of Mossad is chief of Vedat and in the same amount is directly responsible to the Prime Minister. Members and elements of Vedat have relatively equal position and authority.
Head of Mossad who is also president of Vedat, as a senior official has a type superiority to the other members of Vedat, so he has the title of "Blest" [...]. However, in reality, now the head of military intelligence has overshadowed the Mossad’s presidency from the aspects of power and significance. This is due to Israel's continuous reliance on military force and army in the national conservation and protection of the existence of Israeli society.
Mossad is also responsible for gathering abroad intelligence and also administration and implementation of covert operations outside of Israel.
Shin Bet is responsible for counter-intelligence and internal security.
Israel's intelligence service’s employees
Statistics and classified information of America about the figures of Israeli intelligence and security service’s staff is stating that: about 1,500 to 2,000 employees are working in the Mossad that 500 of them have officer degrees. Shin Bet has about 1000 employees that 550 of them have military ranks. In the Military Intelligence Service about 7,000 personnel [three times more than the Mossad] are active that 450 people of them are officers and the rest of them are categorized as civilian employees. The number of official staffs of the Centre for Research and Planning of Minister of Foreign Affairs is between 75 and 100 people, 12,000 police officers and border guards are 6,000 people. The figures do not include non-formal staffs and personnel as well as officers out of these services.
Tasks and missions
According to the American secret service, the Mossad is responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism operations and political activities. On the mission of collecting accurate and positive information, the basic task of Mossad has been set in execution of human operations against Arab countries, official authorities and representatives of their facilities around the world.
Especially in Western Europe and the United States, in anywhere that the Arab national interests finds fiction with the interests of Israel in the Middle East, the Mossad begins to collect information in the field of fitness, mental condition, weapons, equipment and how to operate and leader each Arab armies that in case of war can enter the campaign against Israel. [...].
On the other hand, the Mossad is responsible for quite deliberate provocations, annoyance and nuisance to create an atmosphere of mutual distrust among the Arabs as well. [...] Detection and neutralization of Arabs’ negative propaganda [against Israel] is one other of its tasks.
In fact, Lebanon is the most attractive country for information plans due to different Christian populations (Maronites), Druze and Muslims. Israelis has underground operations in Lebanon and are doing some operation in this northern neighboring country [...].
Mossad besides executing operations against the Arabs also collects information in the Eastern and Western Europe countries.
Mossad’s efforts in gathering information are focused especially on the USSR, the United States and the United Nations, whose decisions and policies can impact on Israel and Zionism goals and reflection.
For the Mossad, Israel's goals in the Western countries have equal importance to the extent that it was recalling about East Block. Mossad collects intelligence about the policies of Western governments, the Vatican and the United Nations about the Middle East. Efforts to increase weapons sales which is in favor of IDF forces and learning information to exploit in order to turn off the anti-Israeli groups in the West is the responsibility of the Mossad.
Structure
Classified report of America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other security services in the United States, about the structure and the system of Mossad intelligence service indicates that the organization is comprised of eight offices:
1. Operational planning and coordination. 2. Collecting. 3. The political operations and affiliate relations. 4. Personnel, financial, logistical and security. 5. Training and Education. 6. Research. 7. Technical operations. 8. Technology.
In the absence of Mossad’s chief, the director of operational planning and coordination serves as chairman. While in previous years, in such circumstances, the head of collecting office did the duty of Mossad’s chief.
Collecting office is responsible for runnig out covert operations and creation of arrangements, preparation and generation of reports from secret sources. This department is the largest unit of Mossad.
Regional offices which are under the control of the Collecting office and management of political actions and affiliate relations include:
1-Central America, 2- Southern America 3- Eastern Europe and the Soviet 4- Africa, Asia and Pacific 5- Mediterranean region and Middle East 6- Europe 7- North America
This division shows the extent of secret activities and operations of the Mossad in the world today.
Operational bases and fields
Mossad’s foreign operations are divided into two main categories:
The first class is in the Middle East as the first line of defense, and the second class is in other regions of the world. Mossad’s headquarters outside Arabic region of Middle East is mostly under diplomatic covers, in embassies and consulates of Israel [...].
Mossad has some bases in the United States of America, most European capitals, Turkey and strategic centers in Latin America, Africa and the Far East. In Iran during the Pahlavi dynasty, these bases were also stationed there [...].
Mossad base exist in some countries with two separate segments on a base that one is for secret collecting unilaterally, and other one is for dependent intelligence relationships with foreign services. For example, currently, Israel has an embassy, a consulate and a delegation from the Ministry of Defense in Paris. Under the cover of Embassy, Mossad has a management of collection of territorial control and a management of political operations and dependent relations related to the regional control.
Paris-based body has been a relying point for Israeli intelligence activities on the continent of Europe over the years. In Switzerland also Israel has an Embassy in Bren and a Consulate General in Zurich which make necessary coverage for officers of collecting office who are interfered in unilateral operations. These diplomatic facilities has established close ties with Switzerland at the domestic level and cooperates in the context of unfolding operations, such as Israeli officials’ physical security, and business facilities in the country and protection of Israeli members and cadres. There also is a close cooperation between Israel and Switzerland in scientific and technical fields related to the security and intelligence operations. Swiss authorities have made numerous trips to Israel, and Israelis are also constantly traveling to Switzerland.
Mossad in cooperation with the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security and intelligence service) teaches technical training to information and security services of Turkey and Ghana. The exchange of technical equipment and data with Japan's information and security services has also been established.
Now Mossad in cooperation with the Shin Bet has maintained affiliate relationships with foreign intelligence and security services through membership in the group of Kilo Watt. This group is an organization that deals with issues of Arab terrorism and includes Germany [former West], Belgium, Italy, the UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Canada, France, Ireland, Sweden, Norway and Israel countries.
Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between Israel and many African countries, Israel has still retained its good dependent relations with a number of services in Africa. Israel has relations with Kenya’s service. In Central Africa, Israel is still active in Zaire. In West Africa, Israel trains Liberian Security and police Service. Israel also cooperated in the establishment of the Military Intelligence Service of Ghana. In South Africa, the Israel has ties with intelligence and security services of South Africa.
Over the years, Israel has been very active in Latin America. One of the biggest intelligence successes had been the arrest of Adolf Eichmann of former Nazi leaders in Argentina.
Recently, most affiliate relations in Latin America have focused on education issues and anti-terrorist activities. For example, the Israeli consulate in Rio de Janeiro has provided necessary coverage for Mossad’s regional base, which includes countries of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The intelligence officers of this center go to Buenos Aires to be trained for intelligence service of Argentina [...].
Israel has also established dependent relationships with the security services of Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru [...]. Israel has long been active in East Asia. They gave information training to the Government of the Republic of China (National) [Taiwan] and had dependent relationships with them. Israel also has intelligence relationships with Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea’s services.
Mossad's largest regional center is in East Asia in Singapore. Mossad station’s chief repeatedly travels throughout the region and is in conducting contracts with neighboring countries’ services. Indonesia as a Muslim country has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel. So Indonesia is very conservative in Mossad’s bilateral relations. Mossad’s agents in Singapore are approved by the Indonesian service. Also, Mossad’s officers in Jakarta do operations under trading coverage.
Professional standards
America’s intelligence and espionage services have evaluated four features and indicators considered as professional standards of the employees about Israeli officers and cadres of the intelligence services:
1. Honesty and integrity:
Directors and senior staff of the Israeli intelligence and safety community have the highest professional standards of integrity and honesty [for the goals and targets of Israel], and apply these standards on the members of their subset [...].
2. Proficiency
Israeli intelligence and security services are of the best kinds in the world. Skilled personnel and sophisticated techniques has given a a tremendous impact to the service... the structure of society since the founding of Israel has been quite successful in attracting a team of capable, educated and literate community from Europe and the Middle East... for example, the guard personnel of Kahaneh can perfectly speak in four or five foreign languages [...].
The service has an outstanding ability in the areas of organizational, and intelligence assessment and anti-espionage that receive from Jewish circles and other sources around the world [...].
3. Security:
According to received reports, the degree of physical security of headquarters and military and non-military information and security central offices in Tel Aviv is excellent and high. Two services of Mossad and Military Intelligence at the beginning were in a massive military complex in the heart of the city. Buildings are being protecting by army guards and firm barbed barriers. Military intelligence remains in the same place, but the Mossad has now occupied a part of a multi-levels building which has trade offices across the street of the military complex. Shin Bet which was formerly located in several buildings in the city of Jaffa, moved to a new location in north Tel Aviv in June 1970.
About 1,000 officers of Mossad and Shin Bet’s cadre have passed inspection and security long [training] courses [...].
4. Ethical and disciplinary procedures:
Mossad and Shin Bet are a part of Israel's civilian services building, and militaries must be accepted by the civilian service exams. Those who have university degrees and are in their 20s and 30s are preferred.
Security and intelligence personnel who do not want or cannot live with close life that security rules and operational musts limit their lives, will be fired, or in a case that their action endangers the service or the country will be hardly punished.