Difference between revisions of "Shin Bet"

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==History==
 
==History==
−
the [[Shin Bet]] was founded as Israel's domestic security service in June 1948, when the new state's intelligence community was organised out of [[Shai]], the intelligence wing of the [[Haganah]] militia.<ref name="EverySpy16-18">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, pp.16-18.</ref>
+
The [[Shin Bet]] was founded as Israel's domestic security service in June 1948, when the new state's intelligence community was organised out of [[Shai]], the intelligence wing of the [[Haganah]] militia.<ref name="EverySpy16-18">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, pp.16-18.</ref>
  
 
A meeting of the [[Varash]] committee of intelligence chiefs on 19 June 1967 gave Shin Bet responsibility for internal security in the occupied territories conquered in the Six Day War.<ref>Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.168.</ref>
 
A meeting of the [[Varash]] committee of intelligence chiefs on 19 June 1967 gave Shin Bet responsibility for internal security in the occupied territories conquered in the Six Day War.<ref>Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.168.</ref>
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===Rabin Assassination===
 
===Rabin Assassination===
−
Following the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]] by a right-wing extremist in 1995, the head of Shin Bet, [[Carmi Gillon]] resigned.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1791564.stm Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency] Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.</ref>
+
Following the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]] by a right-wing extremist in 1995, the head of Shin Bet, [[Carmi Gillon]] resigned.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1791564.stm Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency] Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.</ref> A [[Shin Bet]] agent inside the right-wing, [[Avishai Raviv]], was later acquitted of failing to prevent the assassination.<ref>Moshe Reinfeld, [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/avishai-raviv-acquitted-of-having-failed-to-prevent-rabin-assassination-1.14368 Avishai Raviv acquitted of having failed to prevent Rabin assassination], ''Haaretz'', 30 July 2013.</ref>
  
 
==Structure and Personnel==
 
==Structure and Personnel==
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*[[Yosef Harmelin]] 1960-1964.<ref>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/YosefHarmelin.aspx Yosef Harmelin], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Yosef Harmelin]] 1960-1964.<ref>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/YosefHarmelin.aspx Yosef Harmelin], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Reuven Hazak]] c.1985.<ref name="EverySpy284">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.284.</ref>
 
*[[Reuven Hazak]] c.1985.<ref name="EverySpy284">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.284.</ref>
 +
*[[Yossi Ginossar]] c.1987.<ref>Ephraim Kahana, 'Historical Dictionary of Israeli intelligence', Scarecrow Press, 2006, p.100.</ref>
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1987-1988<ref name="PeriBio">[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/YaakovPeri.aspx Yaakov Peri], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1987-1988<ref name="PeriBio">[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/YaakovPeri.aspx Yaakov Peri], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 +
*[[Gideon Ezra]] 1994-95.<ref>Lahav Harkov, [http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Kadima-MK-Gideon-Ezra-dies-of-lung-cancer-at-74 Kadima MK Gideon Ezra dies of lung cancer at 74], ''Jerusalem Post'', 17 May 2012.</ref>
 +
*[[Israel Hasson]] 1997-1999.
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1999-2000.<ref name="DichterSBbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/AviDichter.aspx Avid Dichter], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012</ref>
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1999-2000.<ref name="DichterSBbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/AviDichter.aspx Avid Dichter], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012</ref>
 +
*[[Yuval Diskin]] 2000-03.
 +
*[[Offer Dekel]] c.2005.
 
*[[Nadav Argaman]] c.2013<ref>Richard Silverstein, [http://www.richardsilverstein.com/2013/03/13/deputy-shin-bet-wmd-chiefs-named-and-their-favorite-beverages/ Deputy Shin Bet, WMD Chiefs Named (and Their Favorite Beverages)], ''Tikun Olam'', 13 March 2013.</ref>
 
*[[Nadav Argaman]] c.2013<ref>Richard Silverstein, [http://www.richardsilverstein.com/2013/03/13/deputy-shin-bet-wmd-chiefs-named-and-their-favorite-beverages/ Deputy Shin Bet, WMD Chiefs Named (and Their Favorite Beverages)], ''Tikun Olam'', 13 March 2013.</ref>
  
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According to journalists Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, the Operations Division in the early years of [[Shin Bet]] had three departments, Arab Affairs, Non-Arab Affairs, and Protective Security.<ref name="EverySpy50">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.50.</ref> Given [[Avraham Ben-Dor]]'s move from head of operations to head of security in 1972, it is possible that security became an independent division at some point.
 
According to journalists Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, the Operations Division in the early years of [[Shin Bet]] had three departments, Arab Affairs, Non-Arab Affairs, and Protective Security.<ref name="EverySpy50">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.50.</ref> Given [[Avraham Ben-Dor]]'s move from head of operations to head of security in 1972, it is possible that security became an independent division at some point.
 
<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
−
 
+
*[[Rafi Eitan]] c.1952.
 
*[[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1959-c.1972<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1959-c.1972<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 +
*[[Uzi Berger]] - Date not known.<ref name="RabinCommission">[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/1995/Pages/Report%20of%20Internal%20GSS%20Committee%20on%20Rabin%20Assassin.aspx Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination], 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>
 +
*[[Rafi Malka]] - Date not known.<ref name="RabinCommission">[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/1995/Pages/Report%20of%20Internal%20GSS%20Committee%20on%20Rabin%20Assassin.aspx Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination], 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>
 +
*[[Ehud Yatom]] c.1984.<ref>Ephraim Kahana, 'Historical Dictionary of Israeli intelligence', Scarecrow Press, 2006, p.112.</ref>
 
====Arab Affairs====
 
====Arab Affairs====
 
The department of Arab Affairs is responsible for counter-terrorism, counter-subversion and monitoring 'Arab militants'. Its [[Henza]] detachments work with [[Aman]] [[Mista'averim]] units in occupied territories and some neighboring states.<ref name="Global153>Paul Todd and Jonathan Bloch, Global Intelligence: The World's Secret Services Today, Zed Books, 2003, p.153.</ref>
 
The department of Arab Affairs is responsible for counter-terrorism, counter-subversion and monitoring 'Arab militants'. Its [[Henza]] detachments work with [[Aman]] [[Mista'averim]] units in occupied territories and some neighboring states.<ref name="Global153>Paul Todd and Jonathan Bloch, Global Intelligence: The World's Secret Services Today, Zed Books, 2003, p.153.</ref>
 
*[[Avraham Ahituv]], head c.1967.<ref name="EverySpy169">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.169.</ref>
 
*[[Avraham Ahituv]], head c.1967.<ref name="EverySpy169">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.169.</ref>
 +
*[[Nachman Tal]] c.1980s.
 +
*[[Yuval Diskin]] c.1994.
 +
 +
=====Counter-terrorism Department=====
 +
*[[Yuval Diskin]] 1990-93.
  
 
====Non-Arab Affairs====
 
====Non-Arab Affairs====
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The Jewish division is responsible for investigating subversive activity by far right Jewish militants.<ref>J.J. Goldberg, [http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/139153/idf-probe-troops-hands-tied-controlling-rightist/ IDF Probe: Troops' Hands Tied Controlling Rightist Jewish Extremism], forward.com, 27 June 2011.</ref>
 
The Jewish division is responsible for investigating subversive activity by far right Jewish militants.<ref>J.J. Goldberg, [http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/139153/idf-probe-troops-hands-tied-controlling-rightist/ IDF Probe: Troops' Hands Tied Controlling Rightist Jewish Extremism], forward.com, 27 June 2011.</ref>
 
*[[Carmi Gillon]] 1982-1987
 
*[[Carmi Gillon]] 1982-1987
 +
*'D' -c.2000-05<ref>Mitch Ginsburg, [http://www.timesofisrael.com/outwitted-by-a-bunch-of-12-year-olds/ Outwitted by a bunch of 12-year-olds], ''The Times of Israel', 19 June 2013.</ref>
 
*[[Avigdor Arieli]] - alleged to be head of the Jewish Division c.2010.<ref>Richard Silverstein, [http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2010/07/16/jewish-terrorist-charged-with-multiple-palestinian-murders-outs-chief-of-shin-bets-jewish-terror-department/ Jewish Terrorist, Charged With Multiple Palestinian Murders, ‘Outs’ Chief of Shin Bet’s Jewish Terror Department], ''Tikun Olam'', 16 July 2010.</ref>
 
*[[Avigdor Arieli]] - alleged to be head of the Jewish Division c.2010.<ref>Richard Silverstein, [http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2010/07/16/jewish-terrorist-charged-with-multiple-palestinian-murders-outs-chief-of-shin-bets-jewish-terror-department/ Jewish Terrorist, Charged With Multiple Palestinian Murders, ‘Outs’ Chief of Shin Bet’s Jewish Terror Department], ''Tikun Olam'', 16 July 2010.</ref>
  
 
====Protective Security====
 
====Protective Security====
 
The protective security department is responsible for protecting strategic infrastructure and for the [[El Al]] airline.<ref name="Global153>Paul Todd and Jonathan Bloch, Global Intelligence: The World's Secret Services Today, Zed Books, 2003, p.153.</ref>
 
The protective security department is responsible for protecting strategic infrastructure and for the [[El Al]] airline.<ref name="Global153>Paul Todd and Jonathan Bloch, Global Intelligence: The World's Secret Services Today, Zed Books, 2003, p.153.</ref>
 +
 +
=====Heads of Protective Security=====
 
*[[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1972-c.1980<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1972-c.1980<ref name="ShalomISAbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/ENGLISH/HISTORY/HEADS/Pages/Avraham%28Shalom%29Ben-Dor.aspx Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor ], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 +
*[[Savinoam Avivi]] - Date not known.<ref name="RabinCommission">[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/1995/Pages/Report%20of%20Internal%20GSS%20Committee%20on%20Rabin%20Assassin.aspx Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination], 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>
 
*[[Peleg Radai]] c.1985.<ref name="EverySpy284">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.284.</ref>
 
*[[Peleg Radai]] c.1985.<ref name="EverySpy284">Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, ''Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community'', Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.284.</ref>
 +
*[[Ehud Yatom]].<ref name="Sipress130896">Alan Sipress, [http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-13/news/25645672_1_israeli-soldiers-shot-ehud-yatom-palestinian-bus-hijackers Two Hijackers Were Taken Alive. A Photo Proved It. Israeli's Account Of Killing Arabs Renews A Scandal], ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', 13 August 1996.</ref>
 
*[[Dror Yitzhaki]] c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Dror Yitzhaki]] c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1996-1999.<ref name="DichterSBbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/AviDichter.aspx Avid Dichter], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012</ref>
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1996-1999.<ref name="DichterSBbio>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/AviDichter.aspx Avid Dichter], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012</ref>
 
*[[Doron Bergerbest]] c.2004.<ref>[http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04TELAVIV6489 Israeli Security Services Tell Codel Talent That Interagency Connectivity Is Key In The Fight Against Terror], US Embassy Tel Aviv, 21 December 2004, published by ''Wikileaks'', 1 September 2011.</ref>
 
*[[Doron Bergerbest]] c.2004.<ref>[http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=04TELAVIV6489 Israeli Security Services Tell Codel Talent That Interagency Connectivity Is Key In The Fight Against Terror], US Embassy Tel Aviv, 21 December 2004, published by ''Wikileaks'', 1 September 2011.</ref>
 +
 +
=====Deputy Heads of Protective Security=====
 +
*[[Jonathan Schoham]]<ref>[http://www.fourtroop.com/lectures LECTURES], Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.</ref>
 +
*[[Eytan Ben-David]]<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-281889578/veteran-shin-bet-official.html Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.</ref>
 +
 +
=====Heads of Protective Security in Europe=====
 +
*[[Rafi Malka]] - Date not known.<ref name="RabinCommission">[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/1995/Pages/Report%20of%20Internal%20GSS%20Committee%20on%20Rabin%20Assassin.aspx Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination], 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>
 +
*[[Eytan Ben-David]] - Date not known.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-281889578/veteran-shin-bet-official.html Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.</ref>
  
 
=====VIP Security Unit=====
 
=====VIP Security Unit=====
 
*[[Benny Lahav]] - Head of VIP Security Unit c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Benny Lahav]] - Head of VIP Security Unit c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*'A.T' - Head of the Unit c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*'A.T' - Head of the Unit c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 +
*[[Shlomo Harnoy]] - Head c.2003.<ref>[http://www.sdemagroup.com/Team.aspx?t=247 Shlomo Harnoy], Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.</ref>
 +
*[[Eytan Ben-David]] - Head - Date not known.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-281889578/veteran-shin-bet-official.html Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.</ref>
 
*[[Haggai Tal]] Head of Operations c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Haggai Tal]] Head of Operations c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*'A.E.' Head of Operations c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*'A.E.' Head of Operations c.1995.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 +
*[[Dror Mor]] - Deputy Head of the Operations Unit and Head of the Foreign Bureau.<ref>[http://www.sdemagroup.com/Team.aspx?t=250 Dror Mor], Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.</ref>
 +
 +
=====El-Al Security=====
 +
*[[Shmuel Sasson]] - former head of El-Al Security.<ref>[http://www.fourtroop.com/lectures LECTURES], Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.</ref>
 +
*[[Eytan Ben-David]] - head - Date not known.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-281889578/veteran-shin-bet-official.html Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.</ref>
  
 
===Support Divisions===
 
===Support Divisions===
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====Administrative Division====
 
====Administrative Division====
 +
*[[Rafi Malka]] Date not known.<ref name="RabinCommission">[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/1995/Pages/Report%20of%20Internal%20GSS%20Committee%20on%20Rabin%20Assassin.aspx Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination], 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref>
 +
*[[Ehud Yatom]] Date not known.<ref name="Sipress130896">Alan Sipress, [http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-13/news/25645672_1_israeli-soldiers-shot-ehud-yatom-palestinian-bus-hijackers Two Hijackers Were Taken Alive. A Photo Proved It. Israeli's Account Of Killing Arabs Renews A Scandal], ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', 13 August 1996.</ref>
 
*[[Carmi Gillon]] 1993-1994.<ref>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/CarmiGillon.aspx Carmi Gillon], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Carmi Gillon]] 1993-1994.<ref>[http://www.shabak.gov.il/English/History/heads/Pages/CarmiGillon.aspx Carmi Gillon], Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.</ref>
 +
 +
====Interrogation and Legal Counsel Division====
 +
*[[Zvi Aharoni]] - head c.1956
 +
*[[Victor Cohen]] - head c.1959
 +
*'A' or 'Sheriff' - head c.1999.<ref name="Melman120608">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/the-torture-police-every-shin-bet-move-is-watched-by-its-legal-team-1.247732 The 'torture police' - Every Shin Bet move is watched by its legal team], ''Haaretz, 12 June 2008.</ref>
 +
*[[Arieh Livne]] - date unknown.<ref>Mitch Ginsburg, [http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-should-free-1000-security-prisoners-says-ex-shin-bet-official/ Israel should free 1,000 security prisoners, says ex-Shin Bet official], ''The Times of Israel'', 10 June 2013.</ref>
 +
 +
====Legal Advisors====
 +
*[[Shabtai Ziv]] - Chief legal advisor c.1999.<ref name="Melman120608">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/the-torture-police-every-shin-bet-move-is-watched-by-its-legal-team-1.247732 The 'torture police' - Every Shin Bet move is watched by its legal team], ''Haaretz, 12 June 2008.</ref>
 +
*[[Aryeh Roter]] - Chief legal advisor c.1999.<ref name="Melman120608">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/the-torture-police-every-shin-bet-move-is-watched-by-its-legal-team-1.247732 The 'torture police' - Every Shin Bet move is watched by its legal team], ''Haaretz, 12 June 2008.</ref>
 +
*[[Eli Bachar]]
 +
*[[Dani Geva]]
  
 
====Training Division====
 
====Training Division====
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====Northern Command====
 
====Northern Command====
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1978-1981
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1978-1981
 +
*[[Carmi Gillon]]
  
 
====Central Command====
 
====Central Command====
 +
*[[Yaacov Caroz]] c.1951
 
*Possibly [[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1952-1954
 
*Possibly [[Avraham Ben-Dor]] 1952-1954
 +
*[[Yehuda Arbel]] c.1967.
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1981-1987
 
*[[Yaakov Peri]] 1981-1987
 +
*[[Yuval Diskin]] 1997-2000.
 +
*[[Offer Dekel]] c.2000.
  
 
====Southern Command====
 
====Southern Command====
 +
*[[Nachman Tal]] c.1970s
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1992-1996
 
*[[Avi Dichter]] 1992-1996
−
*[[Yuval Diskin]] 1997-2000
+
*[[Arieh Livne]] c.2001.
  
 
===Miscellaneous Staff===
 
===Miscellaneous Staff===
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*Y.S. Head of [[Yitzhak Rabin]]'s protection team.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*Y.S. Head of [[Yitzhak Rabin]]'s protection team.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Yoram Rubin]]  - Yitzhak Rabin's bodyguard.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
 
*[[Yoram Rubin]]  - Yitzhak Rabin's bodyguard.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
−
*[[Savinoam Avivi]] - Head of Security Branch.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
+
*[[Lior Akerman]] - Former division chief.<ref>Lior Akerman, [http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Should-the-Shin-Bet-be-heard Should the Shin Bet be heard?], 14 March 2013.</ref>
−
*[[Rafi Malka]] - Head of Security Branch.<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
+
*[[Dan Vesely]] - Former head of the Vetting Division, Human Resources Department.<ref>[http://www.sdemagroup.com/Team.aspx?t=287 Dan Vesely], Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.</ref>
−
*[[Uzi Berger]]<ref name="Melman181002">Yossi Melman, [http://www.haaretz.com/nothing-succeeds-like-abject-failure-1.31097 Nothing succeeds like abject failure], ''Haaretz'', 18 October 2002.</ref>
+
*[[Oded Raz]] - Former head of Cyber-terrorism Unit.<ref name="Fourtroop">[http://www.fourtroop.com/lectures LECTURES], Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.</ref>
−
*[[Yossi Ginossar]]
+
*[[Amir Takomi]]<ref>[http://www.sdemagroup.com/Team.aspx?t=284 Amir Takomi], Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.</ref>
 +
*[[Ami Golan]]<ref>[http://www.sdemagroup.com/Team.aspx?t=286 Ami Golan], Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.</ref>
 +
*[[Ram Gilad]]<ref>[http://www.pillarsec.com/pillerTeam.asp Pillar Team], Pillar Group, accessed 29 July 2013.</ref>
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*[[Avner Barnea]]
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*[[Zadok Ophir]]
  
 
==External Resources==
 
==External Resources==
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[[Category:Spooks]][[category:Israel]]
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[[Category:Spooks]][[category:Israel]] [[Category:Israeli intelligence]]

Latest revision as of 07:50, 16 September 2021

The Israel Security Agency (ISA) or General Security Agency, known in Hebrew as Shabak (an abbreviation for Sherut ha-Bitachon ha-Klali) or Shin Bet, is the Israeli counterintelligence and internal security service.[1]

History

The Shin Bet was founded as Israel's domestic security service in June 1948, when the new state's intelligence community was organised out of Shai, the intelligence wing of the Haganah militia.[2]

A meeting of the Varash committee of intelligence chiefs on 19 June 1967 gave Shin Bet responsibility for internal security in the occupied territories conquered in the Six Day War.[3]

Bus 300 Affair

In 1984, two detained Palestinian hijackers were beaten to death by agents in what became known as the Bus 300 Affair. A government report later revealed that the Shin Bet chief at the time, Avraham Shalom, had ordered the two Palestinians killed and them attempted to cover this up.[4]

Izzat Nafsu case

In 1987, Shin Bet was found to have extracted a false confession of espionage from an Israeli army officer Izzat Nafsu, who had been imprisoned for 18 years.[5]

Landau Commission

Following the Nafsu case a Commission was appointed under supreme court judge Moshe Landau to investigate the intelligence community and its methods. While the committee was deliberating a palestinian prisoner, Awad Hamdan, died in his cell under Shin Bet interrogation.[6]

The Commission found that Shin Bet had used "physical pressure" as a matter of course in the occupied territories, and had routinely lied to the courts during the directorships of Yosef Harmelin, Avraham Ahituv and Avraham Shalom.[7]

Rabin Assassination

Following the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a right-wing extremist in 1995, the head of Shin Bet, Carmi Gillon resigned.[8] A Shin Bet agent inside the right-wing, Avishai Raviv, was later acquitted of failing to prevent the assassination.[9]

Structure and Personnel

Shin Bet has three operational departments and five for operational support.[10]

Directors

Deputy Directors

Operations Division

According to journalists Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, the Operations Division in the early years of Shin Bet had three departments, Arab Affairs, Non-Arab Affairs, and Protective Security.[22] Given Avraham Ben-Dor's move from head of operations to head of security in 1972, it is possible that security became an independent division at some point. [23]

Arab Affairs

The department of Arab Affairs is responsible for counter-terrorism, counter-subversion and monitoring 'Arab militants'. Its Henza detachments work with Aman Mista'averim units in occupied territories and some neighboring states.[10]

Counter-terrorism Department

Non-Arab Affairs

The department of Non-Arab Affairs has a wider counter-intelligence role which includes monitoring immigrants and foreign diplomatic missions.[10] At one time its was divided into communist and non-communist departments.[27] It's role includes responsibility for the Jewish Division.[28]

Jewish Division

The Jewish division is responsible for investigating subversive activity by far right Jewish militants.[30]

Protective Security

The protective security department is responsible for protecting strategic infrastructure and for the El Al airline.[10]

Heads of Protective Security
Deputy Heads of Protective Security
Heads of Protective Security in Europe
VIP Security Unit
El-Al Security

Support Divisions

Support branch departments have included administration, interrogation and legal counsel, technology, co-ordination and planning, and logistics.[22]

Administrative Division

Interrogation and Legal Counsel Division

Legal Advisors

Training Division

Regional Commands

Northern Command

Central Command

Southern Command

Miscellaneous Staff

External Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ Shabak/Shin Bet/Israel Security Agency/Sherut ha-Bitachon ha-Klali, Federation of American Scientists, accessed 9 May 2009.
  2. ↑ Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, pp.16-18.
  3. ↑ Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.168.
  4. ↑ Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.
  5. ↑ Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.
  6. ↑ Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.296.
  7. ↑ Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.297.
  8. ↑ Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.
  9. ↑ Moshe Reinfeld, Avishai Raviv acquitted of having failed to prevent Rabin assassination, Haaretz, 30 July 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Paul Todd and Jonathan Bloch, Global Intelligence: The World's Secret Services Today, Zed Books, 2003, p.153.
  11. ↑ ISA Directors Then and Now, ISA Security Agency (Shin Bet), accessed 9 April 2009.
  12. ↑ Yuval Diskin appointed ISA Director, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 February 2005.
  13. ↑ Netanyahu appoints Yoram Cohen as Israel's next Shin Bet chief, Haaretz, 28 March 2011.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Efrat Weiss, Former Shin Bet chief Amos Manor dies, age 89, Ynet, 5 August 2007.
  15. ↑ Yosef Harmelin, Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.284.
  17. ↑ Ephraim Kahana, 'Historical Dictionary of Israeli intelligence', Scarecrow Press, 2006, p.100.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Yaakov Peri, Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.
  19. ↑ Lahav Harkov, Kadima MK Gideon Ezra dies of lung cancer at 74, Jerusalem Post, 17 May 2012.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Avid Dichter, Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012
  21. ↑ Richard Silverstein, Deputy Shin Bet, WMD Chiefs Named (and Their Favorite Beverages), Tikun Olam, 13 March 2013.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.50.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Avraham (Shalom) Ben-Dor , Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Report of Internal GSS Committee on Rabin Assassination, 8 November 1985, archived by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  25. ↑ Ephraim Kahana, 'Historical Dictionary of Israeli intelligence', Scarecrow Press, 2006, p.112.
  26. ↑ Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv, Every Spy a Prince: The Secret History of Israel's Intelligence Community, Houghton Mifflin, 1991, p.169.
  27. ↑ Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency Wednesday, 30 January, 2002.
  28. ↑ Tomer Zarchin and Amos Harel, Shin Bet deputy suspended for role in lover's promotion, Haaretz, 9 June 2010.
  29. ↑ Tomer Zarchin and Amos Harel, Shin Bet deputy suspended for role in lover's promotion, Haaretz, 9 June 2010.
  30. ↑ J.J. Goldberg, IDF Probe: Troops' Hands Tied Controlling Rightist Jewish Extremism, forward.com, 27 June 2011.
  31. ↑ Mitch Ginsburg, Outwitted by a bunch of 12-year-olds, The Times of Israel', 19 June 2013.
  32. ↑ Richard Silverstein, Jewish Terrorist, Charged With Multiple Palestinian Murders, ‘Outs’ Chief of Shin Bet’s Jewish Terror Department, Tikun Olam, 16 July 2010.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Alan Sipress, Two Hijackers Were Taken Alive. A Photo Proved It. Israeli's Account Of Killing Arabs Renews A Scandal, Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 August 1996.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 34.8 34.9 Yossi Melman, Nothing succeeds like abject failure, Haaretz, 18 October 2002.
  35. ↑ Israeli Security Services Tell Codel Talent That Interagency Connectivity Is Key In The Fight Against Terror, US Embassy Tel Aviv, 21 December 2004, published by Wikileaks, 1 September 2011.
  36. ↑ LECTURES, Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.
  37. ↑ Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau, BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.
  38. ↑ Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau, BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.
  39. ↑ Shlomo Harnoy, Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.
  40. ↑ Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau, BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.
  41. ↑ Dror Mor, Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.
  42. ↑ LECTURES, Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.
  43. ↑ Veteran Shin Bet official appointed Israel's head of Counter-Terrorism Bureau, BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 March 2012, archived at accessmylibrary.com.
  44. ↑ Carmi Gillon, Israel Security Agency, accessed 24 July 2012.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Yossi Melman, The 'torture police' - Every Shin Bet move is watched by its legal team, Haaretz, 12 June 2008.
  46. ↑ Mitch Ginsburg, Israel should free 1,000 security prisoners, says ex-Shin Bet official, The Times of Israel, 10 June 2013.
  47. ↑ Deputy Secretary Raises Transit Of Gaza Students With Shin Bet: Followup, US Embassy Tel Aviv, 11 December 2009, published by Wikileaks, 1 September 2011.
  48. ↑ Rafah Security Working Group Meeting, US Consulate Jerusalem, 19 April 2007, published by Wikileaks, 1 September 2011.
  49. ↑ Israeli Ct Officials Discuss Israel-hizballah War, U.s.-israel Ct Cooperation, US Embassy Tel Aviv, 19 September 2006, unredacted publication by Wikileaks, 8 September 2011.
  50. ↑ Jcg: Israel Nsc's 2/23 Session With S/ct Amb. Crumpton, US Embassy Tel Aviv, 17 March, 2006, unredacted publication by Wikileaks, 8 September 2011.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Goi Info On Ramallah Bank Raid, US Embassy Tel Aviv, 5 March 2004, published by Wikileaks, 1 September 2011.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 Mann Mairone's private anti-terrorist squad, Intelligence Online, 8 April 2010.
  53. ↑ Lior Akerman, Should the Shin Bet be heard?, 14 March 2013.
  54. ↑ Dan Vesely, Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.
  55. ↑ LECTURES, Four Troop, accessed 29 July 2013.
  56. ↑ Amir Takomi, Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.
  57. ↑ Ami Golan, Sdema Group, acccessed 28 July 2013.
  58. ↑ Pillar Team, Pillar Group, accessed 29 July 2013.
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