Why Did the Mossad Hire a Nazi Assassin?

In the 1960s, Israel's Mossad hired a former (and unapologetic) Nazi to prevent Egypt from developing a missile program with the help of former Nazi scientists. This sensitive operation required the help of an expert in psychological warfare and Mossad agent, Yosef Raanan.

Raanan supervised the operation to recruit former Nazi SS Lieutenant Colonel Otto Skorzeny, because of his personal connection to German scientists working on Egypt's missile program. But the recruitment of a Nazi who showed no remorse for his actions required caution, wile, and moral compromise. Although Israel was hesitant to work with a former Nazi, ultimately, Skorzeny’s insider knowledge was critical to successfully stopping a major threat to Israeli national security.

Related Articles

More From Shoah

Holocaust Love Story

A Florida couple who met in a concentration camp later found each other again during a blind…
Holocaust Love Story

The Final Solution

The “Final Solution” of the Jewish Question refers to the German Nazis’ plan to address the…
The Final Solution

Hidden Children

Even today, no one knows how many Jewish children were hidden during the war. The one most…
Hidden Children

Whose Child are You?

Holocaust survivor Josef Herschel tells of the horrific events of World War II and how his…
Whose Child are You?

Syndrome K

In the fall of 1943, German soldiers in Italy began rounding up Italian Jews and deporting…
Syndrome K

Krystyna’s Story

On February 6, 1947, 11 1/2-year-old Krystyna Chiger was interviewed by Magistrate Maria…
Krystyna’s Story

The North African Holocaust

As Hitler was extending his tentacles into North Africa, the Nazis also committed massive war…
The North African Holocaust

Holocaust in North Africa

This is a forgotten tragedy. It was part of the Holocaust, but it didn’t occur in Europe…
Holocaust in North Africa

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation