Book SummaryMossad, by Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Mossad

The formation and growth of the Mossad, Israel's premier intelligence agency.

The incident known as the Be'eri Affair had a profound impact on the ethical standards that govern Mossad's activities.

Bar-Zohar and Mishal argue that the Be'eri Affair had a profound impact on the ethical foundations and the ensuing evolution of Israel's intelligence organization. They illustrate how the behavior of Isser Be'eri serves as a cautionary tale regarding the erosion of moral principles and lawful conduct in an intelligence agency when the quest for influence is prioritized.

The tactics employed by Isser Be'eri, reminiscent of KGB practices, stand as a cautionary tale.

In 1948, following the declaration of its independence, Israel saw Isser Be'eri assume leadership of the newly established military intelligence service, where he became known as "Big Isser" due to his significant role. The methods employed by Mishal, along with those of Bar-Zohar, seemed to cause considerable unease. His personality was compared to an uncontrollable despot, utilizing tactics reminiscent of the Soviet Union's KGB, which included fabricating situations, forging documents, employing torture, and carrying out targeted killings. Be'eri ordered Ali Kassem's termination because he doubted his loyalty. He also fabricated charges to suggest that a prominent individual from the Labor movement was acting as a British informant, potentially out of malice. In a disturbing incident, Be'eri rashly ordered that Captain Meir Tubiansky be apprehended and executed based on dubious allegations of spying.

Context

• The comparison to KGB practices suggests the use of extreme and often unethical methods for intelligence and security purposes, including surveillance, infiltration, and psychological manipulation, which were hallmarks of the KGB's operations.
• The nickname "Big Isser" likely reflects both his physical presence and his authoritative influence within the intelligence community, emphasizing his leadership and decision-making power.
• Be'eri's tactics likely contributed to internal tensions within Israel, as they clashed with democratic ideals and the rule of law, causing public and political unease.
• Isser Be'eri operated during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, right after its independence in 1948, when the new state faced existential threats and internal instability. This environment often led to extreme measures in intelligence and security operations.
• At the time, there were few established legal frameworks governing intelligence activities, allowing for more latitude in operations that might be considered unethical today.
• Such tactics could have long-term effects on public trust in government institutions and the military, potentially leading to societal divisions and debates over acceptable security measures.
• Be'eri's methods, including the termination of individuals like Kassem, were later scrutinized and criticized, reflecting broader ethical debates about intelligence operations and human rights.
• The period was marked by intense political rivalries, and accusations could be used as tools to undermine opponents. Fabricating charges against a Labor movement figure could have been an attempt to weaken a political adversary.
• Captain Meir Tubiansky was an officer in the Israeli army and had previously served in the British army. His background and connections may have made him a target for suspicion during a time when loyalty was intensely scrutinized.

The formulation of foundational norms and moral guidelines for the Mossad.

The authors portray Ben-Gurion's reaction to Be'eri's actions as a critical turning point that substantially changed the trajectory of Israel's intelligence operations. Be'eri, who faced trials in both military and civilian jurisdictions, was demoted and held accountable for the deaths of Ali Kassem and Meir Tubiansky, which resulted in his disgraceful departure from the Israeli Defense Forces. Bar-Zohar and Mishal strongly maintain that this censure established a clear precedent, forbidding any activities that encompass entrapment, falsification, coercion, or assassination. The agency responsible for intelligence in Israel maintained respect for individual freedoms and safeguarded against unrestrained actions by self-imposing limitations and giving precedence to lawful and moral principles.

Practical Tips

• Create a personal "change log" to track how your reactions influence your daily life. Keep a journal or digital document where you note down reactions to events and the outcomes that follow. This could be as simple as observing how your response to a friend's suggestion led to a new hobby or how your handling of a work conflict resulted in a more efficient team dynamic.
• Create a personal code of ethics that...

Mossad Summary The Mossad's covert operations and intelligence-gathering efforts are primarily aimed at ensuring Israel's national security.

The acquisition of Khrushchev's secret speech had profound impacts on global diplomatic relations during the Cold War era.

The authors detail the improvement of the Mossad's international reputation and the strengthening of its relationship with the CIA following the acquisition of Nikita Khrushchev's secret speech in 1956. The speech delivered during the Soviet Communist Party's 20th congress deeply unsettled the international Communist movement by revealing Stalin's atrocious deeds, thereby shattering his once esteemed reputation and leading to widespread shock and chaos.

Securing Khrushchev's speech marked a considerable triumph for the Mossad in the sphere of intelligence gathering, thereby strengthening its partnership with the CIA.

The story recounts the manner in which Victor Grayevski, who worked in an editorial capacity for the Polish News Agency, acquired the speech via his girlfriend, an employee of the leader of the Polish Communist Party. Grayevski, having lost faith in Communist ideology, provided the speech to agents of Israeli security, and they immediately understood its significance. Isser Harel, understanding the importance of the address during...

Mossad Summary The Mossad carried out strategic missions aimed at neutralizing threats to Israel, such as terrorists, Nazi war criminals, and a range of global hazards.

The operation titled Wrath of God. The reaction of the Mossad to the tragedy in Munich

Following the horrific massacre of eleven Israeli athletes by Palestinian extremists during the 1972 Munich Olympics, Israel's intelligence agency initiated a controversial mission named "Operation Bayonet," aimed at those responsible and connected to Black September, the organization responsible for the atrocity. Bar-Zohar and Mishal depict the mission as a crucial defensive action in response to the escalating threat from Palestinian groups. The authorization of targeted killings by Meir, despite the moral quandaries involved, was crucial in averting further attacks and protecting Israel.

Golda Meir gave the green light for a strategic mission aimed at disabling the heads of Black September.

The narrative recounts how Zvi Zamir and Aharon Yariv presented a plan for a series of unsanctioned killings to the head of the Israeli government, Golda Meir. They contended that the threat to Israel's safety from Black September was immediate and severe. After thorough deliberation, Meir, profoundly affected by the tragedy in Munich, authorized the mission.

Context

• She was the...

Mossad Summary The Mossad's covert activities are inherently accompanied by risks, potential repercussions, and internal strife.

The Baghdad Affair and its tragic consequences for the Iraqi Jewish community

Bar-Zohar and Mishal depict the Baghdad Affair as a prime example of the perils inherent in covert operations and the potential for disastrous consequences when such missions fail. In Baghdad, a city with deep-seated hostility towards Israel, Jewish inhabitants set up a series of covert collectives that, while separate, occasionally interconnected. The operation risked being compromised when Iraqi authorities apprehended an individual from the Mossad, tasked with severing the spy network's links to other covert Jewish activities in the area. The capture of Taggar led to the discovery of hidden weapons and documents within the homes of Jewish residents and under the floorboards of a place of worship in the Iraqi capital.

Yehuda Taggar's mission to dismantle the espionage network in Baghdad

The book describes how Taggar was tasked with operations in Baghdad to sever the connections between the espionage ring and various Jewish clandestine groups, which were involved in facilitating emigration, self-protection, and the advancement of Zionist beliefs. The goal was to protect these groups in...

Mossad Summary Major activities and key occurrences linked to the intelligence agency of Israel

Operation Yossele: The search for a young child taken from a community of ultra-Orthodox Jews

Operation Yossele, the worldwide search for an eight-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy estranged from his parents in 1960, is portrayed by Bar-Zohar and Mishal as a prominent example of the unique responsibility of Mossad to protect Jews everywhere. Tensions escalated between Israel's non-religious citizens and the ultra-Orthodox community. Isser Harel's steadfast commitment to reuniting Yossele with his loved ones highlights the agency's determination to achieve its goals, even in the face of significant challenges and criticism from outside parties.

The situation's intricacy was heightened by deep-seated splits in society and politics, arising from the clash between secular groups and those strictly observing religious customs.

The narrative describes the turmoil that Yossele Schuchmacher's abduction by his grandfather, Nahman Shtarkes, instigated among the various social and faith-based communities in Israel. Shtarkes, a devout follower of Hassidic customs, was against the upbringing of children in a secular manner. He enlisted the aid of a deeply devout faction to...