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Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations by Ronen Bergman
thisisstephenbetts's review
5.0
Astounding, overwhelming non-fiction book about the Israeli secret services, and specifically their history of assassination. It is absolutely packed with detail and data — so many stories of various operations, by all sides, successful and not. Bergman keeps his tone mostly factual and non partisan — although revealing so much of Israel's secrets automatically puts him at odds with her institutions. He treads a fine line between sympathy and condemnation, again, for both sides — recognising the deep-rooted causes of the conflicts. He is absolutely excoriating, though, about Ariel Sharon, and his efforts to undermine any peaceful initiatives, and hence perpetuate a tragic and vastly damaging and deadly conflict (Benjamin Netanyahu does not fare too well either). In the end, it is a deeply sad book — and makes one want to cry for the missed opportunities, and all the casually slaughtered innocents.
10inspace's review against another edition
This is extremely taxing to read at this point.
catronky's review
informative
medium-paced
4.5
A few years ago I was questioned by 4 El Al security employees in a tiny security room in the Paris airport for well over an hour, partially because I had the Arabic name for the Dome of the Rock on my itinerary, so I’m a little hesitant to write anything on the internet about Israeli politics. 🫥
I’ve read some of the reviews of this book on here and they’re exceptional, so I’ll just add my amateur thoughts. This was a fascinating read. I know it’s about the Mossad (and Shin Bet and AMAN), but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone for a good overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s much too Mossad-centric for that. There weren’t many voices from Israel’s enemies, and didn’t go into the reasons for the Intifadas, except for a few comments here and there about the settlement issues (and obviously the assassinations/murders of often-innocent Palestinians).
But as far as a book about the Israeli intelligence’s actions and motivations, this kept me interested and feeling despair about the complicated and endless conflict, and how it affects everyone’s lives. I am leaving this book with more compassion for the leaders who have to make terrible decisions (though they certainly didn’t always view those decisions as terrible).
4.5 stars— there were a few too many descriptions of operations for me to be 100% on board with the pacing, but everything else was a fast and fascinating read. It was really well-balanced, though I did get frustrated that the Palestinians were so often just called “terrorists” when the Israelis never were. But I feel very strongly that state-sponsored terrorism is real and that term should be used. But in general it didn’t praise or condemn the actions of any government or faction, simply stating the facts and the outcomes. Really impressive journalism.
The story of the Mossad trying to brainwash the Fatah soldier was probably my favorite, as well as the “Sum of all fears”-esque assassination attempt on the Israeli diplomat (by Iran I think?) in order to get three other countries to go to war. Incredible journalism work and this book deserves its rating.
I’ve read some of the reviews of this book on here and they’re exceptional, so I’ll just add my amateur thoughts. This was a fascinating read. I know it’s about the Mossad (and Shin Bet and AMAN), but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone for a good overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s much too Mossad-centric for that. There weren’t many voices from Israel’s enemies, and didn’t go into the reasons for the Intifadas, except for a few comments here and there about the settlement issues (and obviously the assassinations/murders of often-innocent Palestinians).
But as far as a book about the Israeli intelligence’s actions and motivations, this kept me interested and feeling despair about the complicated and endless conflict, and how it affects everyone’s lives. I am leaving this book with more compassion for the leaders who have to make terrible decisions (though they certainly didn’t always view those decisions as terrible).
4.5 stars— there were a few too many descriptions of operations for me to be 100% on board with the pacing, but everything else was a fast and fascinating read. It was really well-balanced, though I did get frustrated that the Palestinians were so often just called “terrorists” when the Israelis never were. But I feel very strongly that state-sponsored terrorism is real and that term should be used. But in general it didn’t praise or condemn the actions of any government or faction, simply stating the facts and the outcomes. Really impressive journalism.
The story of the Mossad trying to brainwash the Fatah soldier was probably my favorite, as well as the “Sum of all fears”-esque assassination attempt on the Israeli diplomat (by Iran I think?) in order to get three other countries to go to war. Incredible journalism work and this book deserves its rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, War, Racism, Islamophobia, Grief, Murder, Deportation, and Xenophobia
andreashappe's review
5.0
This book is about Israel’s intelligence services and their targeted killing operations, born out of necessity and an (understandable) wish for revenge. The whole book can be read as a clash of a country’s need to defend itself and the fundamental principles of democracy and morality. Add to that the uncertainty of how history might have played out if some operation wouldn’t have been commanded or turned out differently.
It’s also a story about moral ambivalence and the creation of an extrajudicial legal system parallel to criminal law. The slow mangling of the executive branch and military operations, how moral controls and responses slowly fade over time.
Trading lives for political gains is another recurring theme. Most of the politicians’ names are well known if you watched the news in the last couple of years. Another theme is seeing covert operations for more than they are: a tactical tool, but not a replacement for strategy or diplomatic solutions.
I’ve gained respect for some NIOs in Unit 8200.
It’s also a story about moral ambivalence and the creation of an extrajudicial legal system parallel to criminal law. The slow mangling of the executive branch and military operations, how moral controls and responses slowly fade over time.
Trading lives for political gains is another recurring theme. Most of the politicians’ names are well known if you watched the news in the last couple of years. Another theme is seeing covert operations for more than they are: a tactical tool, but not a replacement for strategy or diplomatic solutions.
I’ve gained respect for some NIOs in Unit 8200.
fkshg8465's review
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Too much minutiae
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, War, Murder, Violence, Death, Islamophobia, and Kidnapping