JERUSALEM—The Mossad, which has been running an online recruitment page for a decade, appears to be extending its reach in its most recent update to citizens of hostile countries.
In what seems to be an open invitation to potential informers, the multi-lingual site promises "total discretion and confidentiality" to persons filling out an online application form. "All are welcome, regardless of religion, nationality, or occupation to contact our organization—Mossad—to be involved in activities that could bring great personal benefit." It suggests that potential applicants be wary of using their own computers in responding. "It would be safer to fill in the form using means that are not directly connected to you."
The site is directed principally at Israelis, particularly those who come from the world of high-tech and professions such as law, business, and medicine. Mossad director Tamir Pardo notes on the site that Israel faces tangible threats on a daily basis. "We must continue recruiting the best minds in the country so that we can deal with these threats," he writes. "The human capital and the quality of the Mossad are the secrets to the organization’s success."
The message is given in Farsi (Persian), Arabic, Russian, French, English, and Hebrew.
The Mossad has been facing increasingly tough competition from the world of high-tech in recruiting qualified staff while the increasing complexity of its tasks requires ever more agents and analysts. Applicants who are invited for an interview face a difficult training course, which weeds out many of them.
The website notes that there are a wide range of job categories in the espionage agency, including operations, intelligence, cyber, and other technology-focused positions. The agency offers no indication of how many are accepted into its ranks.
Gad Shimron, a former Mossad field agent, told Reuters that the more aggressive new approach "seems to be an effort by the Mossad to attract the maximum number of interested parties. Even if 90 percent are written off as useless, it could still be worthwhile."
At a celebration yesterday at Mossad headquarters to mark the Jewish New Year later this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the agency’s "incredible effort, professionalism, and commitment."