Twelve Mossad members received awards for excellence on Sunday evening, including two operatives and a collections officer responsible for remarkable achievements on behalf of the Mossad.

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The recipients—men, women, young and old alike—come from all areas of the Mossad. They were carefully selected by an administrative committee made of senior officials and on the basis of their work and contributions to the Mossad and the State of Israel.

The ceremony placed an emphasis on the integration of all departments within the Mossad, including operations, technology, research and logistics.

President Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mossad director Cohen at the ceremony (Photo: Koby Gideon, GPO)

President Reuvlin Rivlin praised the recipients, saying that the security establishment is improving constantly in dealing with the threats it faces while making quick and efficient adjustments to future threats, such as those of cyber warfare.

"We must recognize that Israel stands a stable island in the heart of a turbulent area. If we think that this stability will last forever and the security envelope we've built will be hermetically sealed, we may pay a heavy price," said Rivlin. "This is a time of heavenly mercy for Israeli security and we must do everything we can to exploit the future before the storm comes."

Mossad director Yossi Cohen, left sitting, and President Reuven Rivlin, right sitting, at the ceremony (Photo: Koby Gideon, GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the recipients that he is asked to green-light daring and imaginative operations more and more often.

"We're fighting a very complex campaign. There are technological and human elements, and the need to combine the two. You are doing this in the best possible way," Netanyahu said. "You're an integral part. You're doing holy work in gathering intelligence that is critical for the security and future of the State of Israel. 'For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war,' and I add 'For by wise counsel thou shalt prevent thy war.'"

Mossad director Yossi Cohen praised the 12 recipients. "The excelling recipients are professional and thorough, creative and imaginative, courageous and daring of thought, dedicated and hard working. They represent a big part of the Mossad's fields of operations and create a chain with every link strong and of high quality. The Mossad works as one fist, on one front, while combining all of its capabilities," he said.