Mossad’s shadowy headquarters. A place of secrets and intrigue. It’s right here in Tel Aviv. Formed in 1951 by Prime Minister David Ben Gurion its primary directive was clear: protect Israel. Intelligence was the first line of defense.
Mossad isn’t just any intelligence agency. It’s a vital part of Israel’s identity. It’s responsible for human intelligence collection. It also handles covert actions and counterterrorism. The agency is also known for its clandestine operations. They’ve helped Jewish refugees escape from Syria Iran and Ethiopia. Mossad agents work globally. They’re active in former communist countries the West and even at the UN.
In the 1980s Mossad employed 1500 to 2000 people. More recent estimates suggest around 1200. The identity of the Mossad director was once a closely guarded secret. That changed in 1996 when Danny Yatom’s appointment was publicly announced. He succeeded Shabtai Shavit. Yatom was followed by Ephraim Halevy and then Meir Dagan.
Mossad has eight departments. Some details about their internal organization remain classified. The largest department is Collections. It handles espionage operations with offices worldwide. These offices operate under both diplomatic and unofficial covers. The agency even ran recruitment ads in 2000. They sought collection officers.
The Political Action and Liaison Department works on political matters. It liaises with friendly foreign intelligence services. It also works with nations without formal diplomatic ties to Israel. The Special Operations Division known as Metsada is involved in sensitive operations. This includes assassinations sabotage and psychological warfare. The LAP department focuses on psychological warfare propaganda and deception.
The Research Department produces intelligence. This includes daily reports weekly summaries and detailed monthly reports. The department is organized into 15 geographical sections or desks. These include the USA Canada Western Europe Latin America the former Soviet Union and many more. A specialized nuclear desk focuses on weapons related issues. Finally the Technology Department develops advanced technologies to support Mossad operations. In 2001 they advertised for electronics engineers and computer scientists.
This is Mossad. A place where the world’s secrets are uncovered. A place where history is made in the shadows. A place you can only truly appreciate standing right here.