The Israeli Mossad and the media: Historical and theoretical perspectives

This essay presents for the first time an integrated and comprehensive historical analysis of the relationship between the external intelligence service in Israel, the Mossad, and the media. The theoretical framework of this research demonstrates the significance of analyzing the relationship through the lens of a challenge–response model, based primarily on public relations literature. Since different changes have taken place in society, culture and media, it is crucial to define what issues the Mossad faced during each era in order to accurately evaluate its strategic communications. The Mossad's ability to cope efficiently with crisis situations was majorly influenced by the proportions between the challenges and the responses.

► This work presents an innovative PR framework designed to analyze the relationship between intelligence services and the media. ► Via case studies, it offers an evaluation of the Mossad media responses to challenges created by crisis situations. ► It argues that a proportional balance between challenges and responses may provide an explanation for both communication successes and failures.