what is mossad in israel

Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel, responsible for human intelligence collection, covert action, and counterterrorism. It is one of the main entities in the Israeli Intelligence Community, along with Aman (military intelligence) and Shin Bet (internal security) . Mossads focus is on Arab nations and organizations throughout the world, and it is headquartered in Tel Aviv. Mossad is responsible for the clandestine movement of Jewish refugees out of Syria, Iran, and Ethiopia. It has been accused of assassinating scientists involved in the Iranian nuclear program and is suspected of being behind the attempted assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Fereydoon Abbasi. Mossad has an annual budget of about $3 billion and 7,000 staff, making it the second-largest espionage agency in the Western world after the CIA. Its operations include pursuing Nazi war criminals, producing strategic, political, and operational intelligence, and planning and carrying out special operations beyond Israels borders. Mossads primary directive is to protect Israel from existential threats, such as nuclear attack from Iraq or Iran, conventional attack from hostile neighbors and alliances, and terrorism.