FOREIGN MEDIA reports linking the Mossad to last month’s assassination of Hamas militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai have led to a surge in people applying to join the spy agency.
Israel’s Ynet news website reported a heavy response to a “situations vacant” advertisement posted on the Mossad website shortly after news of the Dubai hit made headlines.
The job vacancy read: “You have an opportunity to create a reality in which you play the lead role. If you possess intelligence and sophistication you can make a difference and fulfil a national and personal mission. If you can engage, charm and influence people – you may have the qualities we are looking for.”
The Mossad website stated that the ideal candidate must hold an academic degree, have a diverse life experience, exhibit flexible thinking and creativity, and must be able to work as a team member.
A background abroad, a good command of a second language and a willingness to leave for a mission abroad immediately after training were also cited as advantages.
A teacher from a high school in the southern city of Ashkelon said that her pupils have become obsessed with the Dubai assassination.
“My students only want to talk about this story. They keep looking at the pictures of the agents and the videos from the hotel. They can talk about it for hours; each student offers their perspective – it truly excites them,” she said.
Jerusalem is still refusing to confirm or deny Mossad involvement in the affair, but if Israeli officials hoped that public interest would fade, they may have to wait a little longer.
Jews began celebrating the festival of Purim yesterday, marking the saving of the Jews in ancient Persia. People wear fancy dress costumes on Purim and one of the most popular costumes on the streets of Israel yesterday was that of a Mossad spy.
Based on the Dubai CCTV footage, Purim revellers dressed up as tennis players or wore thick black spectacles with wigs.
Meanwhile, the Ha’aretz newspaper reported yesterday that the passport photographs of the alleged agents were doctored to avoid future detection of those involved.
Various features, such as eye colour or the lip line were slightly altered so that the real agent could not be recognised and their cover would not be blown, as only a few were later caught on security cameras without disguises.