Sayanim

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Sayanim (sing. Sayan; Hebrew: helpers, assistants) are jews who live in and often hold the citizenship of lands outside of Israel, but who are recruited clandestinely by the Mossad to assist with its operations. As clandestine operations, claims regarding the Sayanim tend to be speculative and uncertain.

"Agents differ from assets and sayanim. Agents possess the requisite mental state to be convicted of treason, a capital crime. [...] Sayanim (singular sayan) are shielded from conventional legal culpability by being told only enough to perform their narrow role. [...] In other words, a sayan can operate as an accomplice but still not be legally liable due to a lack of the requisite intent regarding the broader goals—of which they are purposely kept ignorant. [...] When not aiding an ongoing operation, sayanim gather and report intelligence useful to Israel."[1]

Victor Ostrovsky, a former Mossad katsa turned author, wrote extensively about activities of the sayanim, as has Gordon Thomas. "According Ostrovsky and Gordon Thomas, the sayanim provide assistance of various kinds to Mossad officers operating in foreign countries. This assistance can include facilitating medical care, money, logistics, and even overt intelligence gathering. They can be Judges, Court Clerks, Expert Witnesses, Child Protective Service Workers, Assistant District Attorneys, Police Officers, or anyone with a great degree of power over people’s lives , and will do anything at the behest of Mossad case officers (katsa) for the State of Israel against its enemies or those perceived to be unfavorable politically to Israeli policy. (“By Way of Deception”, Victor Ostrovsky). Sayanim are supposedly not directly involved in intelligence operations, and are only paid for their expenses."[2]

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