Unconfirmed Early History
Bar claimed to have been born in Austria to an assimilated Jewish family, claimed that he had been active in the Austrian Social Democratic Party and claimed to have taken part in the armed conflict between the military organization of this party, the Schutzbund, and the Austrian army. Bar took pride in having later completed officer training in the Austrian military academy and for having served as an officer in the army for a certain period of time, claiming to have completed his service as a colonel serving as a brigade commander
During interrogation Bar would repeat the often told story but Isser Harel, Director of Mossad (who was also in charge of Shin Bet) calmly told him: 'You are a liar.'
'We can find no trace of your parents in Austria. If they were typical Jewish parents, as you make them out to be, then why aren't you circumcised?' 'We have checked all the records in Austria. You never fought on the barricades. You never received a doctorate, as you claim you did, nor did you ever attend the university. You did not go to the military academy because Jews were not allowed to at the time. They have checked their lists for us and your name is not there. The Schutzbund has no record of your membership either.' 'We have gone through the records of the international Brigade and your name is not there. You never fought in Spain....' 'Now tell me: who are you? We want the truth.'
Israel Bar never revealed his true identity, nor did he ever admit to have worked for the KGB.
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