Mossad breaks tradition, reports women serving at highest intel roles

For the first time in the history of the Mossad, a woman has been appointed director of the agency's Intelligence Authority, the Mossad announced Thursday.

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The new director, A., a 20-year veteran of the agency, is responsible for formulating Israel's strategic intelligence picture on a variety of issues, including Iran's nuclear program, global terrorism and normalization with the Arab world.

A. is also responsible for gathering intelligence for all Mossad operations, and managing hundreds of employees that collect and analyze information.
Meanwhile, the Mossad has revealed that another key post – that of head of its Iran Desk – is also being staffed by a woman identified as K.

K. is responsible for developing the Mossad's strategy for dealing with all aspects of the Iranian nuclear threat and leads the process of integrating operations, technology and intelligence in the organization together with the IDF and all security services.

Interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office put out a statement saying that "Intelligence in the Mossad is being handled in an unprecedented manner by two woman, A. and her deputy H., is considered one of the organization's core anchors."

"As soon as one enters the gates of the organization, there is complete equality between men and women. Many women serve in all roles in operations, as agents and operators of agents, and are integrated into the core of operations and intelligence, with talent, professionalism and energy," said Mossad Director David Barnea.

"The door to advancement to the most senior ranks is open to men and women alike, according to their suitability and their talents," he added.

This is the first time that the Mossad has publicly revealed the existence of these roles and the first time it has released images – albeit pixelated – of the people who hold them.

A. and K. join both H. and Y., who were recently appointed deputy head of the Intelligence Authority and deputy head of Human Resources, respectively, as women serving in the senior ranks of the Mossad.

Until now, the most senior Mossad position held by a woman was that of deputy director, a role Aliza Magen held some 30 years ago.

JNS.org contributed to this report.

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