JERUSALEM - It is already common for intelligence agencies to recruit their officers online, but Israel's Mossad has gone one further by also touting for local agents and informants. Israel, which has full diplomatic ties with only two Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan, lacks embassies elsewhere in the Middle East that would-be informants could turn to, leaving it in need of other local recruitment channels.
"All are welcome, regardless of religion, nationality or occupation, to contact our organization -- Mossad -- to work for us or to be involved in activities which could bring great personal benefit," reads the new "Contact us" section of the Mossad website, which is also available in Arabic, Farsi, French or Russian. "Rest assured that total discretion and confidentiality is of the utmost priority and is the basis of our connection.We suggest you consider whether the computer you are using and your location is secure enough. It would be safer to fill in the form using means that are not directly connected to you." The glossy Mossad website went up a decade ago to boost recruitment for officers and analysts amid increasingly fierce competition from Israel's booming private hi-tech sector.
IN-DEPTH
- Will Palestinians Turn Backs on U.S. and Embrace U.N.?
- Gaza Buried Under Four Million Tons of Rubble: Group
- Hacked: Anonymous Targets Israeli Government Websites