Mossad and Military Intelligence engaged in power struggle from top down

A long-standing dispute exists among the various branches of the intelligence community involving boundaries and distribution of authority. The disagreement in principle adds to the tension among senior members of the intelligence community, particularly between Mossad head Meir Dagan and the director of the Israel Defense Forces' Military Intelligence unit, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin.

The inter-organizational competition in the intelligence community, which stems both from disagreements on matters of principle and a "traditional" rivalry between the various intelligence branches and their senior functionaries, has existed for years. There are occasional tense moments, to a large extent depending on the personalities of those involved.

There have been efforts in the past to define the rules of the game and prevent duplication of authority and plays for prestige. Back in the 1950s, powers were divided geographically among the intelligence branches: all activities abroad (except for cross-border activities) were the responsibility of the Mossad, while activities in Israel were coordinated by the Shin Bet security service. Activities on the borders of enemy countries and in them were the job of MI.

However, through the years the intelligence organizations have conducted parallel activities in the same arena. In the 1990s agreements were made that included more detailed delineation of powers, which became known as the intelligence Magna Carta.

In 1999, during Ehud Barak's term as prime minister, a committee was established to study ways of dividing responsibilities among the various intelligence services. Another committee on the same matter was appointed by Barak's successor, Ariel Sharon, in 2004. Sharon subsequently appointed Dan Meridor as his representative to mediate four unsolved disputes over responsibility - two between the Mossad and MI and two between the Mossad and the Shin Bet.

Meridor, who is currently intelligence and atomic energy minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, managed to solve some of the issues.

According to a study published by a team headed by former MI chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash a few months ago, "despite the acceptance of the conclusions of the committee [in 2004] and a directive by the prime minister, no essential improvement has taken place in cooperation among the intelligence organizations."

The team, which published its research under the aegis of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies, also wrote, "lacking a head of the intelligence community and in light of the limited cooperation among its leaders, there has been no change in the functioning of the community as a system."

Despite the various reports, the intelligence organizations continue to conduct parallel activities in some areas, which is a source of unending friction. The disputes persist in light of long-time tensions between Dagan and Yadlin. Nevertheless, senior IDF sources told Haaretz that despite the disagreements, coordination between the two services on the professional level is good and the number of joint operations has considerably increased.