FROM AMAZON: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first definitive history of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the IDF’s targeted killing programs, hailed by The New York Times as “an exceptional work, a humane book about an incendiary subject.”
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD IN HISTORY
NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY JENNIFER SZALAI, THE NEW YORK TIMES
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Economist • The New York Times Book Review • BBC History Magazine • Mother Jones • Kirkus Reviews
The Talmud says: “If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.” This instinct to take every measure, even the most aggressive, to defend the Jewish people is hardwired into Israel’s DNA. From the very beginning of its statehood in 1948, protecting the nation from harm has been the responsibility of its intelligence community and armed services, and there is one weapon in their vast arsenal that they have relied upon to thwart the most serious threats: Targeted assassinations have been used countless times, on enemies large and small, sometimes in response to attacks against the Israeli people and sometimes preemptively.
In this page-turning, eye-opening book, journalist and military analyst Ronen Bergman—praised by David Remnick as “arguably [Israel’s] best investigative reporter”—offers a riveting inside account of the targeted killing programs: their successes, their failures, and the moral and political price exacted on the men and women who approved and carried out the missions.
Bergman has gained the exceedingly rare cooperation of many current and former members of the Israeli government, including Prime Ministers Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, and Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as high-level figures in the country’s military and intelligence services: the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the Mossad (the world’s most feared intelligence agency), Caesarea (a “Mossad within the Mossad” that carries out attacks on the highest-value targets), and the Shin Bet (an internal security service that implemented the largest targeted assassination campaign ever, in order to stop what had once appeared to be unstoppable: suicide terrorism).
Including never-before-reported, behind-the-curtain accounts of key operations, and based on hundreds of on-the-record interviews and thousands of files to which Bergman has gotten exclusive access over his decades of reporting, Rise and Kill First brings us deep into the heart of Israel’s most secret activities. Bergman traces, from statehood to the present, the gripping events and thorny ethical questions underlying Israel’s targeted killing campaign, which has shaped the Israeli nation, the Middle East, and the entire world.
“A remarkable feat of fearless and responsible reporting . . . important, timely, and informative.”—John le Carré
A book review for “Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations” by Ronen Bergman
An Eye-Opening Chronicle of Covert Warfare
“Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations” by Ronen Bergman is nothing short of a gripping journey into the clandestine world of espionage, covert operations, and the morally complex realm of targeted assassinations carried out by Israel’s intelligence agencies. Bergman meticulously delves into the historical and contemporary use of lethal force as a tool of statecraft in one of the most volatile regions in the world.
The book opens a window into the shadows, revealing a history rarely discussed in the public domain. With extensive research and interviews with key players in Israel’s intelligence community, Bergman paints a vivid picture of the individuals, the tactics, and the geopolitical context behind these operations. The book leaves readers with a deep understanding of the weighty decisions faced by Israel’s leaders and intelligence agencies in their quest to protect their nation.
One of the strengths of Bergman’s narrative is his commitment to objectivity. He does not shy away from the moral dilemmas associated with targeted assassinations. Instead, he presents a balanced exploration of the legal, ethical, and strategic aspects surrounding these actions. This approach allows readers to form their own opinions on the controversial subject matter.
Bergman’s writing is both engaging and informative, making the complex world of intelligence operations accessible to a wide range of readers. He weaves together personal stories, historical events, and geopolitical analysis with finesse. The result is a book that reads like a gripping spy thriller but is grounded in meticulous journalism.
Throughout the book, readers will encounter the likes of Mossad, Shin Bet, and other secretive organizations, as well as the individuals who carried out these high-stakes missions. The level of detail and insider insights provided by Bergman are unparalleled, making “Rise and Kill First” a must-read for anyone interested in intelligence history or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In conclusion, “Rise and Kill First” is a compelling and thought-provoking book that shines a light on the dark side of statecraft and the lengths to which a nation will go to protect itself. Ronen Bergman’s masterful storytelling and exhaustive research make this book an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in espionage, modern warfare, or the complex politics of the Middle East. It challenges readers to grapple with difficult questions about the ethics and consequences of state-sponsored assassinations while offering a unique perspective on Israel’s enduring struggle for security.
My Goodreads Review:
Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations by Ronen BergmanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am not surprised about this “secret history” of targeted assassinations. Ever since I was young, news reports about mysterious killings of prominent PLO, Hamas, and Hezbollah personnel were always linked to Israel. But the detail provided in this book is eye-opening and has become the model of targeted killings after 9/11.
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