Rise and Kill First
Intro
Toothpaste tainted with poison that takes a month to claim the life of its intended victim. Weaponized drones ready for deployment. Mobile phones rigged to explode. Spare tires concealing remote-controlled explosives. The elimination of enemy scientists and the exposure of clandestine affairs involving Muslim clerics.
Based on over 1,000 interviews and an extensive trove of documents, spanning more than 700 pages, “Rise and Kill First” presents a compelling argument that Israel has employed assassination as a substitute for traditional warfare. Rather than launching direct military offensives, Israel has resorted to the targeted killing of individuals, including the deaths of several Iranian nuclear scientists.
About
The title of the book derives from a passage in the Talmud: “When someone comes to take your life, arise and take theirs first.” This conceptualizes assassination as a form of self-defense. However, as Bergman illustrates, motivations are not always as virtuous and straightforward as they seem. Targeted assassination involves the deliberate killing of individuals deemed to pose an imminent threat. This tactic is usually executed by a secretive intelligence or military unit, often when capturing the enemy is impeded by their sheltered presence in hostile territory. Given the prolonged and multifaceted nature of the conventional military and terrorist challenges posed by Israel’s adversaries, including Iran, Syria, Hamas, and Hezbollah, the nation has honed one of the world’s premier covert special operations capabilities to eliminate selected adversaries through assassination. This book describes a long series of assassinations in great detail.
Controversy
Some journalists claim Bergman has not been very critical against these killings, while other journalists consider Bergman scrutinizes the ethical and practical dimensions of Israel’s approach to confronting adversaries within its own territory.
While acknowledging the covert achievements, Bergman concludes that these successes have been tactical rather than strategic. He suggests that the approach seems to stagnate history and evade the need to grapple with the underlying Palestinian issue.
A singular shortcoming in Bergman’s captivating portrayal of Israel’s clandestine operations and its utilization of assassination lies in his impartial stance towards the assassination program itself. Despite presenting various favorable and unfavorable facets, Bergman refrains from taking a definitive stance on whether the program is ultimately beneficial or detrimental. Additionally, he misses an opportunity to outline a more ideal trajectory for integrating the assassination program into Israel’s statecraft.
Opinion
Approaching a 750-page exploration of Israel’s intelligence services’ history of lethal actions might give a reader pause; the tightrope is precarious and swaying. Much of the truth remains classified or disputed, and the moral dilemmas are undeniably vast.
The book is a remarkable achievement – a compassionate book that delves into an inflammatory subject. Skillfully melding history and investigative journalism, Bergman steadfastly keeps the ethical dilemmas in focus. The book remains attuned to the moral queries that arise when a nation, born as a sanctuary for stateless individuals who were victims of a genocide, finds itself compelled to engage in lethal actions to ensure its survival.
Conclusion
Combining gripping drama with meticulous research, “Rise and Kill First” elucidates Israel’s achievements and moral quandaries in the face of ceaseless, unyielding hostility from its Middle Eastern adversaries.
Bergman’s rapid-paced narrative and occasionally grim perspectives construct a compelling argument for the effectiveness of targeted assassinations in dealing with terrorist entities. Amidst the intricate accounts of triumphs and setbacks, “Rise and Kill First” remains an enthralling page-turner that proves difficult to set aside.
Where “Rise and Kill First” truly excels is in the firsthand testimonies Bergman garners through interviews. His interactions extended beyond middle-tier operatives; he engaged with former Mossad heads, foot soldiers, and every level in between. This unparalleled access and engagement with former operatives lends an extraordinary level of credibility to the narratives presented within the book. However, this access didn’t come without significant risks for Bergman. The Israeli Defense Force’s chief of staff urged the Shin Bet to take strong actions against the author, citing “aggravated espionage” and the alleged use of classified information.
Rise and Kill First will appeal to historians, the intelligence community, civil and military leaders and if you are interested in military history and politics this book will certainly appeal to you too!