Mossad is Israel’s national intelligence service. The service, officially called the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, maintains Israel’s security. It also promotes the country’s foreign relations and national objectives. The Mossad was created in 1949, the year after Israel became an independent nation. It operates under the direction of Israel’s Office of the Prime Minister. Mossad is a Hebrew word meaning institution.
The Mossad collects and analyzes a wide range of economic, military, and political information, also called intelligence. Much of the information is secret. The Mossad also engages in counterintelligence efforts. These efforts aim to identify, neutralize, and manipulate the intelligence activities of other countries. The Mossad has worked closely with foreign intelligence services, such as the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the United Kingdom’s Security Service (MI5).
The Mossad works to prevent terrorism. It also seeks to stop the possession of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons) by countries hostile to Israel. Another important Mossad function is covert action—that is, secret activity to influence events abroad. The Mossad has diplomatic duties as well, such as helping foreign Jews immigrate to Israel.
In 1940, while Israel was still under British rule, a Jewish military force called the Haganah established the Sherut Yediot (Shai), or Information Service. The Shai aided the Allies in the Middle East during World War II (1939-1945). After the war, the Shai worked to establish an independent Israel. The nation of Israel officially came into being in May 1948. The Mossad formed in December 1949 and absorbed the Shai.
