People serving in the Mossad are required to give to Israel of their talents, their dedication and their courage
Intro
Mossad has to be one of the mother of conspiracy theories. This was an agency shrouded in mystery and secrets thicker than the CIA. Until recently the world didn't even know who the director of this agency was. There have been several movies that deal with Mossad including: Munich, The Man Who Captured Eichmann, Massacre, and the more main stream movie: Swordfish, in regards to John Travola's character.
Mossad has to be one of the mother of conspiracy theories. This was an agency shrouded in mystery and secrets thicker than the CIA. Until recently the world didn't even know who the director of this agency was. There have been several movies that deal with Mossad including: Munich, The Man Who Captured Eichmann, Massacre, and the more main stream movie: Swordfish, in regards to John Travola's character.
NCIS
My personal favorite example is from the more recent NCIS. NCIS features Mossad agent, Ziva David, who works with NCIS. Ziva happens to be my favorite character in this CBS series. Mossad episodes make for some really good stories, and Ziva is an awesome character that knows combat, espionage, and intelligence extremely well. But there is more to Mossad than just cool conspiracies.
More information than you ever wanted to know
This agency was conceived around 1949. The security of Israel has been its sole purpose. The original Mossad members were partly responsible for bringing Jews into Israel before it was formed as a nation in 1948. The Headquarters for Mossad are in Tel Aviv. The full name of the agency is HaMossad LeModi'in U'Letafkidim Meyuhadim, or in English, Institute for Intelligence and Special Duties. Mossad means Institute in Hebrew. The Mossad seal features a Menorah and proverb. The Menorah is a seven branched candelabrum, the oldest emblem of Israel. It is said to have symbolized the burning bush witnessed by Moses. The proverb is roughly translated:
Origin
The founder and first director of Israel's Central Intelligence Agency was, Reuven Zaslani, in his line of work his last name was changed to Shiloah. Shiloah is a biblical term used in the Torah. The word was used by the great Hebrew prophet Isaiah: 'waters of Shiloah.' These waters are believed to be in the center of the Holy Land and were used in washings for the temple, and also were an important source of water for the people. Reuven Shiloah set the standard of obtaining intelligence by securing the plans of an Arab League invasion- which invasion led to the War of Independence for Israel or the 1948 war. Reuven founded many of the first policies and practices of this institution.
Story
In December 1847, two men were taken out back, shot and buried. Shortly after 2 other men were executed in the same manner. These men were part of a secret group known as Shahar. They had infiltrated an Arab organization to gain Intel on Arab plans of attack and gauge the public's opinion. Unfortunately the 2 first men were overheard while checking in with their HQ in Tel Aviv. Once they were caught they were interrogated and tortured, but they never broke. These men became the first Israili spies that were captured and executed.
Mossad had been shrouded in so much secrecy not even its director was a State secret. Not until 1996, did Mossad go public with who the director was. Part of the reason for this was to repair its image. Over the last 50 years the actions of Mossad have given them a dark reputation. In the '90's it appears critical mass was reached. Since that time the Israeli Intelligence Agency has slowly become more forth coming and less secretive with foreign governments.
Where no stratagem is, the people fall, but in the multitude of councilors there is salvation- (Proverbs 11:14).
Origin
The founder and first director of Israel's Central Intelligence Agency was, Reuven Zaslani, in his line of work his last name was changed to Shiloah. Shiloah is a biblical term used in the Torah. The word was used by the great Hebrew prophet Isaiah: 'waters of Shiloah.' These waters are believed to be in the center of the Holy Land and were used in washings for the temple, and also were an important source of water for the people. Reuven Shiloah set the standard of obtaining intelligence by securing the plans of an Arab League invasion- which invasion led to the War of Independence for Israel or the 1948 war. Reuven founded many of the first policies and practices of this institution.
"We must penetrate these [Arab] countries… We must collect economic,
political and military information and be ready to warn the government,
in time, of every hostile act. We must follow the activites of these countries around the globe,
especially in Eruope [and] South America… where there is a large [Arab] population.
We must lend a hand to acts of sabotage in order to frustrate their hostile plans." Reuven Shiloah
political and military information and be ready to warn the government,
in time, of every hostile act. We must follow the activites of these countries around the globe,
especially in Eruope [and] South America… where there is a large [Arab] population.
We must lend a hand to acts of sabotage in order to frustrate their hostile plans." Reuven Shiloah
Story
In December 1847, two men were taken out back, shot and buried. Shortly after 2 other men were executed in the same manner. These men were part of a secret group known as Shahar. They had infiltrated an Arab organization to gain Intel on Arab plans of attack and gauge the public's opinion. Unfortunately the 2 first men were overheard while checking in with their HQ in Tel Aviv. Once they were caught they were interrogated and tortured, but they never broke. These men became the first Israili spies that were captured and executed.
Mossad has at least 8 departments, below are some of the main ones.
1. Intelligence Collections
2. Political Action & Liaison
3. LAP- Psychological Warfare
4. Intelligence Research
5. Technology
6. Special Operations- Metsada is the most known division; in charge of assassinations,
paramilitary operations, sabotage, etc…
According to Mossad.gov, the following are fields of interest:
- Covert intelligence gathering beyond Israel’s borders.
- Preventing the development and procurement of non-conventional weapons by hostile countries.
- Preventing terrorist acts against Israeli targets abroad.
- Developing and maintaining special diplomatic and other covert relations.
- Bringing Jews home from countries where official Aliya agencies are not allowed to operate.
- Producing strategic, political and operational intelligence.
- Planning and carrying out special operations beyond Israel’s borders.
Mossad Today
Since it was founded, Mossad has gone through 10 directors. 
Mossad had been shrouded in so much secrecy not even its director was a State secret. Not until 1996, did Mossad go public with who the director was. Part of the reason for this was to repair its image. Over the last 50 years the actions of Mossad have given them a dark reputation. In the '90's it appears critical mass was reached. Since that time the Israeli Intelligence Agency has slowly become more forth coming and less secretive with foreign governments.
The current director is Meir Dagan. Dagan was a soldier in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). He started out as a paratrooper and served in the Six Day War- where he commanded a company in Sinai. He joined the most infamous unit in the IDF, the Sayeret Rimon, responsible for: assassinations, hostage rescues, and abductions. He also received the Medal of Courage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr_9ifsD7Qg
History turns to legend
The kidnap
In 1960, they kidnapped a Nazi war criminal, Adolph Elchmann, hiding in Argentina and brought him to Israel for prosecution.
Assassination
Mossad successfully assassinated members of a terrorist group known as Black September in the 1970's. In 1988 their spec ops took out Arafat's deputy, Abu Jihad. Abu was listed as the director of terror operations in Israel.
Current
Over the past year Mossad has revealed much of their research and Intel on Iran and the growing problem of nuclear technology.
Conclusion
As one author stated, the publized events of Mossad are the only ones of hundreds that we know of. Like the CIA and MI6 they have had their dark moments, and moments where they really shined. In order to know more than just internet her'say or what hollywood projects, you will need to read credited books and journals on the organization known as Mossad.
Books:
Israel's Secret Wars: A History of Israel's Intelligence Services
Every Spy a Prince: The Complete History of Israel's Intelligence Community
Reuven Shiloah - the Man Behind the Mossad; Secret Diplomacy in the Creation of Israel
http://www.mossad.gov.il/Eng/AboutUs.aspx
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/israel/mossad/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/israel/mossad.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424601878.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr_9ifsD7Qg
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