Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations

I'm currently engrossed in a captivating book about Israeli-targeted assassinations. Dr. Ronen Bergman spent 8 years writing this extensive 784-page book packed with a wealth of historical and political information. It provides worthwhile insights into the turbulent Middle East that anyone can learn and understand. To say the least, it is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the Middle East.

Ronen Bergman's "Rise and Kill First" dives deep into the covert operations of Israel, offering a compelling exploration of the nation's targeted killings. The book presents a thought-provoking narrative that sheds light on the significant number of individuals targeted for elimination by Israel and the intricate methods employed in carrying out these operations. While the book is rich with gripping accounts of clandestine missions, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the profound human cost incurred in Israel's relentless pursuit of security. This profound work contemplates the ethical dilemmas surrounding sacrificing innocent lives to protect a nation's interests.

Israel's security and intelligence services, including Aman, Mossad, Sayeret, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), are not separate entities, unlike the American FBI, CIA, or NSA.

Bergman argues that the individuals killed by Israel are often nasty people who have inflicted harm on many innocent Israelis. Therefore, it seems justified to prevent them, especially if they cannot be captured alive. However, even when the person killed is a wrongdoer, the situation is still complex. Sometimes, children or other innocent individuals also die. This raises the question of whether it is acceptable to place a higher value on the lives of your own people compared to others.

During the Second Intifada, Israel faced significant violence, leading to an increase in casualties. The Israeli military's efforts to combat this violence played an important role in bringing it to an end. It demonstrated that in some situations, force is necessary to stop dangerous individuals. Additionally, Israel conducted operations to eliminate individuals from Iran who were involved in nuclear weapons development, sparking a debate within Israel about the moral implications of these actions. At present, there have been 1000s of targeted assassinations in the past 70 years since the beginning of the Israeli nation-state.