Katsa (Mossad) facts for kids

A katsa is a special officer who works for the Mossad, which is Israel's national intelligence agency. Think of them as detectives who work for their country. A katsa's main job is to gather important information and to work with people who can help them get this information.

What a Katsa Does

The word katsa comes from a Hebrew phrase, Ktsin Issuf, which means "Collections Officer." There are usually about 30 to 40 katsas working at any given time. They operate in different parts of the world, gathering information that is important for Israel's safety.

Becoming a Katsa: Training

To become a katsa, candidates go through a very strict selection process. The Mossad gives them different tests to see how they think and if they have the right skills. They also look at what kind of people they need at that moment.

If a person is chosen, they must attend the Mossad's special training school called the Midrasha. This school is located near a town called Herzliya. It's also where the Israeli Prime Minister has a summer home.

At the Midrasha, future katsas learn how to be intelligence officers for about three years. A big part of their training is learning how to find and work with people who can provide information. They also learn how to talk to these people secretly.

Katsas also learn how to avoid being watched by other countries' intelligence groups. They learn how to escape from people following them, whether by car or on foot. They also learn how to stay safe and avoid dangerous situations during their missions. After their training, new katsas work on smaller projects to gain experience before they become full katsas.

Well-Known Katsas

Here are a few individuals who have been known or thought to be katsas:

• Eli Cohen: He worked closely with important political and military leaders in Syria in the early 1960s.
• Michael Harari: He led a group of Mossad officers.
  • Other Mossad officers who were involved in a situation in Lillehammer in 1973 included:
  • Dan Aerbel
  • Abraham Gehmer (also known as Leslie Orbaum)
  • Zwi Steinberg
  • Michael Dorf
  • Marianne Gladnikoff
  • Sylvia Rafael (also known as Patricia Lesley Roxburgh)
  • Angelus Askari (also known as Ghost)
• Yossi Cohen