The Israeli Intelligence Community

THE IRAQI NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Ben-Gurion endeavored to base the Israeli Air Force and Intelligence Corps on a primary nucleus of regular service personnel, so that they will be able to deliver a prompt initial response.

In the 1950s, Israel consolidated a comprehensive national security concept that consisted of three elements: deterrence, early warning, and overbalance. At the basis of this concept stood the realization that Israel was inherently inferior to its enemies, and military strength was vital to ensuring its existence and security.

In the last few decades, Sayeret Matkal, along with the operational technology intelligence unit, belong to the special operations organ (MEM-MEM) within the IDF Intelligence Directorate.

SAYERET MATKAL In 1957, Avraham Arnan, an unorthodox and entrepreneurial officer of the HUMINT unit of the Intelligence Corps, established a new unit subordinated directly to the head of AMAN. Designated Unit 269, the innovative new group was Sayeret Matkal, the GHQ Reconnaissance Unit. The personnel of this unit consisted of first-rate warriors, w

THE OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY UNIT With the establishment of military intelligence, a technology unit (Intel 8 and subsequently Unit 432) was established as well. This unit provided AMAN, the Mossad, and the SHABAK with photographic services, chemical secret writing resources, forged documents and certificates, development and issuance of covert commu

that included Uri Ilan back in 1954. As of April 1963, following the resignation of Isser Harel, Amit served in a dual capacity – director of AMAN and acting director of the Mossad – for the first and only time in the history of Israel.

In 1962, Sayeret Matkal executed intelligence operations that yielded electronic intelligence sources on the Syrian Golan Heights. By now, trained, properly equipped, and briefed soldiers were sent to execute these missions, pursuant to the lessons derived from the operational failure of the IDF detachment

This specialist unit, under the command of Avraham Arnan, was subordinated to the director of AMAN and evolved, after a few years, into the elite unit known as Sayeret Matkal.