Rise and Kill First
Author | Ronen Bergman |
---|---|
Translator | Ronnie Hope |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | February 1, 2018 |
Pages | 750 |
Website | riseandkillfirst.com |
Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations is a 2018 book by Ronen Bergman about the history of targeted assassinations by Israel's intelligence services.[1] Its author says that Israel has assassinated more people than any other western country since World War II.[2] It portrays the assassinations of British government officials, Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leaders, and Iranian nuclear scientists. To write the book, Bergman carried out about a thousand interviews with political figures and secret agents[1] and consulted "thousands" of documents.[2]
Synopsis
Rise and Kill First describes the targeted killings carried out by Israeli secret agencies and the personalities and the tactics used. The book's title is inspired by a statement in the Talmud: "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first".[2] Based on a thousand interviews and thousands of documents, the book is the story of many political and intelligence figures[1][2] such as agents of Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Israeli military, some of them speaking under their real identity. Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, former Israeli prime ministers, and Meir Dagan, a recent head of Mossad for eight years, were among those interviewed.[2]
The book begins with the founding of
Bergman describes the details of operations carried out in Iran,[2] Egypt, Syria, and Germany.[3] According to the book, Ariel Sharon mistakenly ordered Mossad to shoot down a plane, carrying 30 wounded Palestinian children, survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre.[1] The operation was cancelled "at the last moment" after it was reported that Arafat was not on board.[6] He "even" consented to the downing of a commercial plane if it was carrying Arafat, Bergman says in his book.[1]
The book also recites secret favours carried out by the Mossad at the request of foreign governments and leaders, such as allegedly for King Hassan II of Morocco.[citation needed]
Reception
According to
Awards
- 2018: National Jewish Book Award in the History category[8]
Research
According to Bergman the
References
- ^ a b c d e f Szalai, Jennifer (2018). "'Rise and Kill First' Shines Light on Israel's Hidden Assassinations". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bronner, Ethan (27 January 2018). "New book reveals top assassination methods preferred by Israeli spies". The Independent. Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Glass, Charles (11 March 2018). ""Rise and Kill First" Explores the Corrupting Effects of Israel's Assassination Program". The Intercept. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ a b c Sinai, Joshua (19 February 2018). "Book Review: 'Rise and Kill First' by Ronen Bergman". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ Davies, Dave (31 January 2018). "Journalist Details Israel's 'Secret History' Of Targeted Assassinations". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ Holmes, Oliver (25 January 2018). "Israel had plan to shoot down passenger plane to kill Arafat, book claims". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ Pollack, Kenneth M. (7 March 2018). "Learning From Israel's Political Assassination Program". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Past Winners". Jewish Book Council. Retrieved 2020-01-21.