Lekem Bureau of Scientific Relations

The Lekem Bureau of Scientific Relations was a clandestine Israeli intelligence organization that operated until 1986. Its primary function was to recruit spies in Western countries. The bureau was disbanded following the arrest of Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. naval intelligence analyst who sold classified U.S. intelligence documents to Israel. Israel apologized to the U.S. government after Pollard's arrest, stating that Pollard's contacts were not authorized by senior intelligence officials. Some sources suggest that an office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since assumed the duties previously handled by Lekem. Israel's intelligence establishment is known for its professionalism and includes other major organizations like Mossad for foreign espionage and Shin Bet for internal security.12